A2A (Agent2Agent)
An emerging interoperability protocol and family of related standards for agent-to-agent communication and identity attestation, allowing one AI agent to verify another's identity and authorization when they interact. Labeled emerging because standards in this space, including agent identity attestation broadly, remain immature and unconsolidated as of August 2026.
Defined in 2 GAGE programs, which carry 3 distinct definitions of it. The wording above is taught in Certified AI Data Governance Professional (CADGP).
How each discipline defines it
The same term does different work depending on who is using it. These are the definitions as each program teaches them, unedited.
An emerging interoperability protocol and family of related standards for agent-to-agent communication and identity attestation, allowing one AI agent to verify another's identity and authorization when they interact. Labeled emerging because standards in this space, including agent identity attestation broadly, remain immature and unconsolidated as of August 2026.
A named communication protocol for agent-to-agent interaction, referenced by the WEF paper's protocol-layer treatment; full technical treatment is out of scope for this topic. (see Topic 1.2)
A protocol standard for agent-to-agent collaboration, letting one autonomous agent discover, identify, and exchange messages with another, complementary to MCP rather than competing with it.
Where it is taught
The exact lessons this term appears in. The first module of every program is free with a free account.
- Why Singapore's Framework in Ohio · The Agent, Deconstructed, Certified Agentic AI Governance Professional (CAAGP)
- Protocol-Layer Threats · Technical Controls and Threat Modeling, Certified Agentic AI Governance Professional (CAAGP)
- The agent's trail: who acted, on whose authority, using what, and why, recorded for every autonomous touch of your estate · Access and the Keys, Certified AI Data Governance Professional (CADGP)
Where it shows up at work
A definition is where A2A (Agent2Agent) starts. The lessons above teach it inside the competencies below, which are what job descriptions ask for and what the GAGE credential records. Every link here is drawn from the same careers map that builds a role's readiness check.
Applies IMDA's Model AI Governance Framework, AI Verify and the PDPA alongside Western frameworks for organizations operating across Asia.
One lesson on this page teach it as a primary outcome.
Compares the EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001 and sector rules by intent and control objective, and says where they do not overlap.
One lesson on this page teach it as a primary outcome.
Governs AI agents that take actions: tool access, least privilege, interruptibility, cascading actions and accountability for what an agent did.
One lesson on this page teach it as a primary outcome.
Roles that hire for it
Each role page shows the full competency set, what the seat decides, and a readiness check against your own evidence.
- Senior AI Compliance Analystneeds it at depth
- AI Compliance Managerneeds it at depth · 2 open postings this week
- Security Compliance Managerneeds it at depth · 4 open postings this week
- AI Compliance Specialistneeds working knowledge · 1 open posting this week
- AI Controls Analystneeds working knowledge
- Compliance Analystneeds working knowledge · 2 open postings this week
How job descriptions say it
Postings rarely use the textbook word. These are the phrases the careers map reads as asking for the competencies above.
Where the frameworks place it: IMDA Model AI Governance Framework; PDPA; AI Verify; EU AI Act.
One interview question about it
Compare Singapore's approach to AI governance with the EU's, and say when a company should follow which.
Asked of candidates for singapore and apac ai governance frameworks. Answering it in your own words is exactly how a GAGE topic is passed, and the credential records the pass where an employer can check it.
Terms it appears with
Not an alphabetical neighbourhood: these are the terms taught in the same lessons, ranked by how often they appear together.