Google runs a new protocol for the agent

On Tuesday, Google announced a new open -purchasing protocol started by artificial intelligence agents – automatic programs that can shop and make decisions on behalf of users – with the support of more than 60 traders and financial institutions. The agent’s payment protocol (AP2) is called the system that is supposed to be operating between artificial intelligence platforms, payment systems and sellers, providing a paper road that can be followed for every treatment.

In a publication announcement of the protocol, executive managers confirmed their commitment to openness. “We are committed to developing this protocol in an open and cooperative process, including through standards bodies, and inviting the entire payments and technology community to build this future with us,” Stavan Parikh and Rao Surapanei, who are VPS in Google and Google Cloud, respectively.

The full specifications of AP2 were It was published to GitHub In conjunction with the advertisement.

The protocol is designed for a future in which artificial intelligence agents are routinely shopping for products on behalf of customers, and engaging in complex interactions in actual time with retailers agents. One examples in the Google Chatbot user post asking his agent to shop for a bike trip, which leads to a time -long package of a bicycle store.

In another example, the user requests to travel and stay for the weekend, with only dates, location and budget. “The agent can then interact with both airline and hotels, as well as online travel agencies and reservations,” explains the post, “as soon as you find a mixture that suits the budget, it can implement both the encoded reservations simultaneously.”

Empowering this type of transaction is complex, technically and socially. AP2 requires agents registration separately before the purchase: First “Delegation of intention” (I tell Amnesty International mainly, “I am looking for a Polka neckline”), which enables the agent to search for a specific element and negotiate with the sellers; Then the “carpeting of the vehicle”, which gives final approval to buy once a specific element is found.

The protocol also contains an entire automatic purchasing item, as the agent is allowed to automatically create a car authorization once a component is found. These conditions require a more detailed mandate, setting price limits, timing, and other rules of engagement. Either way, the goal is to maintain an auditable path that can be re -examined in cases of fraud.

In cooperation with Cryptocurrency Outfits Coinbase, Metamask and Ethereum Foundation, Google also produced an extension that merges encrypted currency X402 protocolAllow the purchase of AI-moving it from the encryption portfolio.

A number of other technology companies work on the purchase systems of the agent – and most importantly, allowing purchase with the Pro service in its browser. The payment provider also produces software tools To buy the agent on his platformAlthough it is not comprehensive like AP2.

Like any protocol, the AP2 effect depends on its support from other players in the ecosystem – the most prominent of which are the agent purchase systems. But AP2 has already won the support of major financial service providers such as MasterCard, American Express and Paypal, giving the protocol a great instant imprint.