By Jerry Chong, TIBCO Principal Product Strategist
There’s significant buzz around Agent-to-Agent (A2A) communication, positioning it as the next major advancement following the prominence of the Model Context Protocol (MCP). But what exactly is A2A, and how does it differ from existing MCP tools?
A2A communication represents a crucial shift in AI interaction. While MCP tools function as specific endpoints for performing predefined tasks, agents are designed to act autonomously. They possess a degree of reasoning and can independently execute tasks, unlike the more rigid, tool-like nature of MCP endpoints. This autonomy is a key differentiator, allowing agents to go beyond simple task execution and engage in more complex, collaborative workflows.
The Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol: A Universal Language for AI
A significant development in A2A communication is the Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol, an open standard launched by Google and other technology partners in April 2025 and now housed by the Linux Foundation. This protocol acts as a common language, enabling AI agents built on diverse frameworks and by different providers to communicate and collaborate seamlessly.
Think of the A2A protocol as a universal translator for agent ecosystems. It aims to break down silos and enhance agent interoperability, much like the Model Context Protocol (MCP) standardizes how AI applications communicate with external services and tools. In fact, A2A and MCP are complementary: MCP connects agents with structured tools and data sources, while A2A facilitates communication and collaboration between the agents themselves. For example, an inventory agent might use MCP to interact with a database, and then use A2A to communicate with a supplier agent to place an order if stock is low.
Why Agent to Agent? When Does A2A Make Sense?
The necessity and utility of A2A communication become apparent in several scenarios:
- Clear Boundaries of Responsibility: A2A excels when there are distinct boundaries of responsibility, whether due to differing lines of business, business units, or even between separate companies. This allows specialized agents to manage specific domains without needing to expose their internal workings.
- Specialized Agents: A2A is particularly valuable for specialized agents, each employing a highly targeted model to perform very specific tasks. This allows for optimized performance within their designated area, while still maintaining the ability to reason and act autonomously.
- Targeted Task Delegation: For effective A2A interaction, it’s crucial to involve an agent by asking it to perform a specific task. Without clear directives, there’s a risk of needless back-and-forth communication, leading to inefficiencies.
The Danger of Too Many Agents
While the potential of A2A is immense, it’s vital to consider the pitfalls of excessive agent proliferation. Agents often communicate using natural language, and each interpretation and communication bears a cost. If agents are split too granularly, the overhead in communication can become substantial. This is akin to having too many threads in traditional computing, where the overhead of context switching can severely impact performance. In the agent realm, this overhead is particularly expensive because each communication often requires reinterpretation by a Large Language Model (LLM).
Furthermore, efficiency can decrease due to this communication overhead and the introduction of network distance. Therefore, before enthusiastically deploying numerous agents, it’s crucial to carefully consider these factors to ensure that the benefits of agent collaboration outweigh the potential communication and processing costs. A well-designed multi-agent system prioritizes clear communication pathways and optimized task delegation to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
