# Google introduces the A2Family of open source protocols and tools for AI agents

DevFeed: [Google introduces the A2Family of open source protocols and tools for AI agents](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/meet-the-a2family-34300.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<http://opensource.googleblog.com/2026/04/meet-the-a2family.html>)

Author: Google Open Source (noreply@blogger.com)

Published: 2026-04-23T18:30:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Google Open Source Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/google-open-source-blog.md>)

Topics: [A2A protocol](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/a2a-protocol.md>), [Artificial Intelligence](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai.md>), [interoperability](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/interoperability.md>), [Model Context Protocol](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/model-context-protocol.md>), [Open Source](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/open-source.md>), [linux foundation](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux-foundation.md>)

Tags: [a2a](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/a2a.md>), [a2a-protocol](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/a2a-protocol.md>), [a2ui](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/a2ui.md>), [adk](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/adk.md>), [agent2agent](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/agent2agent.md>), [agents](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/agents.md>), [ai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai.md>), [ai-agents](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai-agents.md>), [ap2](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ap2.md>), [interoperability](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/interoperability.md>), [linux-foundation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux-foundation.md>), [open-source](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/open-source.md>)

## AI overview

Google presents the A2Family, a suite of open source protocols and tools for building, connecting, and scaling AI agents. The article describes A2A for agent interoperability, its relationship with MCP and skills, and A2UI for rendering interactive interfaces without executing arbitrary code.

## Source excerpt

by Daryl Ducharme, Google Open Source & Alan Blount, Cloud AI At Google, we know that building on open source gives teams the freedom and flexibility to use meaningful technologies faster. Openness drives innovation and security, and it is core to our mission. As we look toward the future of computing, we want to ensure that developers across all open source communities have the foundational tools they need to build secure and collaborative AI systems. That is why we are excited for you to get to know the "A2Family"--a suite of open source protocols and tools designed to help you build, connect, and scale your AI agents. A2A: The cornerstone of agent interoperability The Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol is an open standard designed to enable seamless communication and collaboration between AI agents. It provides the definitive common language for agent interoperability in a world where agents are built using diverse frameworks and by different vendors. Originally developed by Google, A2A has now been donated to the Linux Foundation. As a famous open source aphorism reminds us: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." A2A brings this collaborative philosophy to AI, allowing agents to delegate sub-tasks, exchange information, and coordinate actions to solve complex problems that a single agent cannot. MCP & Skills: Agents need tools and skills Since day one A2A has loved MCP, and we love skills too ♥. Agents discover, negotiate, converse, make plans, adapt when those plans don't work out - that's a different interaction pattern than a tool and that's what A2A was built for. But for your agents to function, they need access to tools, and instructions on how to use those tools safely and securely. While MCP and A2A might not be from the same origin story, they are a family that works better together. When you're not sure - if it's a quick deterministic resource or action, it's a tool, but if you may end up with a conversation, it's an agent. Ano