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Google launches new protocol for agent-driven purchases
Called the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), the system is meant to be interoperable between AI platforms, payment systems and vendors.
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 backing from more than 60 merchants and financial institutions. AP2 requires agents to register two separate approvals before a purchase can be made: first the “intent mandate” (essentially telling the AI, “I’m looking for a polka dot neck tie”), which enables the agent to search for a specific item and negotiate with sellers; then the “cart mandate,” which gives final approval for a purchase once a specific item has been found. In collaboration with cryptocurrency outfits Coinbase, Metamask and the Ethereum foundation, Google also produced an extension that would integrate the cryptocurrency-oriented x402 protocol, allowing for AI-driven purchasing from crypto wallets.
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