AI-Native Protocol AIP Launched: Machine-to-Machine Communication Enters New Era

On December 15, after 18 months of development and testing, the AI-Native Protocol (AIP) version 1.0 was officially finalized. Jointly developed by Anthropic, OpenAI, and DeepMind, this open protocol defines standard communication formats, permission management, and trust mechanisms for AI Agent interoperability.

AIP's core innovation is the introduction of an "intent layer" — unlike traditional HTTP protocols that only transmit data, AIP allows AI Agents to directly transmit "intentions" and "constraints." For example, a travel planning Agent can send a structured intent package to a hotel booking Agent containing budget, timing preferences, and special requirements, rather than a series of API calls.

The protocol stack consists of four layers: physical layer (based on existing TCP/IP), semantic layer (unified knowledge representation), intent layer (task description and constraints), and trust layer (identity verification and permission management). The trust layer is the most critical — using zero-knowledge proof technology, it allows Agents to prove their trustworthiness without exposing underlying model details.

Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei stated at the launch: "AIP is to AI Agents what HTTP was to the World Wide Web. It will catalyze an entirely new Agent economy ecosystem."

Over 200 enterprises and research institutions have joined the AIP Alliance. Critics worry that the three AI giants' dominance over protocol development could lead to "protocol monopoly" — ostensibly open, but actually consolidating market power through standard-setting authority.

The European Commission has announced a compliance review of AIP, focusing on whether it meets the interoperability requirements of the AI Act.