Google launches new protocol for agent-driven purchases

On Tuesday, Google announced a new open protocol for purchases initiated by AI agents – automated software programs that can shop and make decisions on behalf of users – with support from more than 60 traders and financial institutions. The Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) is the system intended to be interoperable between AI platforms, payment systems and suppliers, and offers a traceable paper path for each transaction.

In a message in which the protocol was announced, Google managers emphasized their dedication to openness. “We are committed to developing this protocol in an open, cooperation process, including via standards bodies, and invite the full payments and technology community to build this future,” wrote Stavan Parikh and Rao Surapaneni, who are VPS respectively at Google and Google Cloud.

The full specification for AP2 was Posted on Github In combination with the announcement.

The protocol is built for a future in which AI agents routinely shop on behalf of customers and enter into complex real-time interactions with AI agents of retailers. An example in Google’s message suggests that a chatbot user asks his agent for a bike ride, which activates a spontaneous time-sensitive bundle offer from the agent of a bicycle shop.

In another example, a user asks for travel and shelter for a weekend holiday, so that only the dates, location and budget are given. “The agent can then communicate with both airlines and hotel agents, as well as online travel agencies and booking platforms,” ​​explains the mail, “and as soon as it finds a combination that fits the budget, both cryptographically signed bookings can perform at the same time.”

Switching on that type of transaction is complex, both from a technological and social position. AP2 requires that agents register two separate approvals before a purchase can be made: first tell the “intentandate” (essentially the AI: “I am looking for a Polka Dot Neck tie”), so that the agent can look for a specific item and negotiate with sellers; Then the ‘Kar Mandate’, which gives definitive approval for a purchase as soon as a specific item has been found.

The protocol also contains a provision for fully automated purchases, whereby the agent can automatically generate a cart mandate once an item has been found. These circumstances require a more detailed intent mandate, specifying price limits, timing and other engagement rules. In both cases, the aim is to maintain an auditable track that can be re -examined in cases of fraud.

In collaboration with Cryptocurrency Outfits Coinbase, Metamask and the Ethereum Foundation, Google also produced an extension that would integrate the Cryptocurrency -oriented X402 -ProtocolAllowing AI-driven purchasing for crypto portfolios.

A number of other technology companies work on their own agent purchasing systems – in particular confusing, making a purchase with pro -service in its agent browser possible. The payment provider’s line also produces software tools For agent purchase on his platformAlthough they are not as extensive as AP2.

Like any protocol, the impact of AP2 will depend on the support of other players in the ecosystem – in particular developers who build agentic purchasing systems. But AP2 has already won the support of major financial providers such as Mastercard, American Express and PayPal, giving the protocol an important immediate footprint.