On Wednesday of this week, Microsoft shared their support for Google’s Agent2Agent (A2A) specification. This decision is a watershed moment for the development and provision of artificial intelligence-enabled connectivity. This builds on Microsoft’s AI development platforms, Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio, and further deepens their integration. It allows AI agents of all types to communicate fluently between models, domains, and ecosystems.
Microsoft’s vision is at the heart of the decision to implement the A2A standard. They shared the view that the most advanced, powerful AI agents would be those that work easily and cooperatively across applications and cloud ecosystems. Rather, they will work seamlessly into the workflow of their users, becoming integrated into whatever system the user is operating on when needed. Buried in a recent blog post by Microsoft was an extremely encouraging strategic development. They highlighted the important need for public/private partnerships in creating next-generation software.
Microsoft will be implementing support for the Model-Configuration Protocol (MCP). This protocol, developed by Anthropic, allows AI systems to interact and converse with their data sources. This dual announcement signals Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing interoperability between AI systems, ensuring that they can work together more effectively.
“By supporting A2A and building on our open orchestration platform, we’re laying the foundation for the next generation of software — collaborative, observable, and adaptive by design.” – Microsoft’s blog post
The integration of A2A into Microsoft’s platforms allows developers to create applications that can leverage multiple AI models and services, enhancing productivity and innovation. Microsoft’s vision is that the most intelligent agents should be able to function outside of walled-gardens. This alignment helps to build a more seamless experience for citizens, businesses, and users.
Kyle Wiggers, AI Editor at TechCrunch, captured the significance of Microsoft’s announcement. It all happened on June 5 at the TC Sessions: Mobility event in Berkeley, California. This special event will serve as a platform for examining and discussing cutting-edge AI technology and encouraging cooperation between AI innovators. In-person attendees will be able to reserve their attendance with a booking link that will be shared in advance.
“The best agents won’t live in one app or cloud; they’ll operate in the flow of work, spanning models, domains, and ecosystems.” – Microsoft’s blog post