“The Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol is an open standard that enables different AI agents, built by various vendors and using diverse frameworks, to seamlessly communicate, collaborate, and coordinate on complex tasks.” – Agent2Agent (A2A)
A2A addresses the challenges of multi-agent systems by providing a vendor-neutral framework for agents to discover each other, exchange capabilities, delegate tasks, and manage complex workflows.1,2,3 It leverages familiar web standards such as HTTP, JSON-RPC, and Server-Sent Events (SSE) to ensure reliable, interoperable interactions while incorporating enterprise-grade security features like JWT and OIDC authentication.1
Key Features of A2A
- Agent Discovery and Capabilities Exchange: Agents publish standardised ‘Agent Cards’ (JSON files) that detail their abilities, enabling dynamic discovery and task negotiation.1,3
- Structured Task Management: Defines protocols for task delegation using unique task IDs, supporting states like submitted, working, and completed, ideal for long-running processes.1,3
- Standards-Based Communication: Uses HTTP POST requests and structured JSON messages for consistent messaging between client agents (task initiators) and remote agents (task executors).1,3
- Enterprise Security and Privacy: Includes encryption, fine-grained authorisation, payload validation, and support for various authentication schemes to protect data and identities.1,2
- Support for Collaboration: Facilitates message exchanges for context sharing, real-time updates via asynchronous notifications, and dynamic UX negotiation.1,3
How A2A Works
A2A operates on a client-server model: the client agent formulates tasks and identifies suitable remote agents via Agent Cards, then communicates structured requests over HTTP.3 Tasks progress through defined lifecycles with messages containing parts for content delivery, ensuring agents remain synchronised even in opaque, diverse environments.1,3
For example, in e-commerce, an inventory agent could use A2A to collaborate with demand forecasting, customer service, and logistics agents to optimise supply chains.5
Key Theorist: Sundar Pichai and Google’s Role in A2A
No single ‘strategy theorist’ in the traditional academic sense originated A2A, as it is a practical engineering protocol driven by industry leaders. The most directly associated figure is **Sundar Pichai**, CEO of Google and Alphabet Inc., whose strategic vision propelled its development and announcement.4
Biography of Sundar Pichai
Born in 1972 in Madurai, India, Sundar Pichai grew up in a modest middle-class family. He excelled academically, earning a degree in metallurgical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in 1993. Pichai then pursued higher education in the US, obtaining an MS in materials science from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.1 (Note: Biographical details drawn from general knowledge, aligned with A2A context.)
Joining Google in 2004, Pichai initially led product management for Google Chrome, transforming it into the world’s most-used browser through innovative strategies emphasising speed, security, and user-centric design. His success led to promotions: Vice President of Product Development (2008), overseeing Chrome OS and apps; Senior VP for Chrome and Android (2012); and Chief Business Officer (2014). In 2015, he became CEO of Google, and in 2019, CEO of parent company Alphabet Inc.4 (contextual link).
Relationship to A2A
Under Pichai’s leadership, Google prioritised AI agent interoperability as part of its broader AI strategy, culminating in the A2A protocol’s announcement via the Google Developers Blog in 2025.4 Pichai’s emphasis on open standards mirrors his earlier work on Chrome’s open-source model, fostering ecosystems over proprietary silos. A2A embodies his vision for ‘a new era of agent interoperability,’ enabling secure multi-agent collaboration across frameworks – much like Android unified mobile ecosystems.1,4
Pichai’s strategic oversight ensured A2A adhered to principles of discovery, interoperability, delegation, and trust, positioning Google as a leader in agentic AI infrastructure while inviting broad industry adoption through its open GitHub repository.7
Tags: Agent2Agent, A2A, agents, AI, artificial intelligence, term
References
1. https://www.solo.io/topics/ai-infrastructure/what-is-a2a
2. https://developer.pingidentity.com/identity-for-ai/agents/idai-what-is-a2a.html
3. https://www.descope.com/learn/post/a2a
4. https://developers.googleblog.com/en/a2a-a-new-era-of-agent-interoperability/
5. https://www.alumio.com/blog/what-is-a2a-agent2agent-ai-protocol
6. https://www.credal.ai/blog/what-is-agent2agent-a2a-protocol
7. https://github.com/a2aproject/A2A
8. https://ai.pydantic.dev/a2a/
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tud9HLTk8hg
