Part 2: What are AI agent protocols?

This episode of Techsplainers explores key protocols that enable AI agents to communicate effectively. We examine the Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol, which establishes standardized methods for direct communication between AI agents across different platforms, and the Agent Communication Protocol (ACP), which focuses on semantic aspects of agent interactions. The discussion continues with the Agent Network Protocol (ANP), which enables agent discovery and coordination in distributed systems, and the Agent-User Interaction Protocol (AG-UI), which standardizes human-agent communication. We also explore specialized protocols including Agora, which creates marketplace-style frameworks for agent collaboration; the LMOS Protocol, which standardizes how agents interact with computing environments; and the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which addresses the critical challenge of context management across interactions. These protocols form the foundation of interoperable agent ecosystems, balancing standardization with the flexibility needed for continued innovation in this rapidly evolving field. Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/ai-agent-protocols Find more episodes https://www.ibm.biz/techsplainers-podcast Narrated by Cole Stryker