Agentic AI Foundation Expands Membership to Foster Open Standards for AI's Future

The Agentic AI Foundation Welcomes 97 New Members

The Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF) has announced a significant expansion to its membership base, welcoming a total of 18 new Gold Members and 79 Silver Members, all while being led by its newly appointed governing board chair, David Nalley. This surge in membership comes as a response to the increasing demand for open standards governing agentic AI systems.

Leadership Transition to David Nalley

David Nalley, who holds the position of director of developer experience at AWS, steps into the role of governing board chair. With a wealth of experience—spanning over two decades in open source leadership—Nalley is well-equipped to spearhead this critical movement. His vision includes enhancing collaboration across diverse, global communities to set strategic priorities that promote open protocols and interoperability in AI systems.

In his statement, Nalley articulated the importance of interoperability in fielding agentic AI technologies, stating that “agents are rapidly transitioning from experimental prototypes into production-ready systems, fundamentally altering the methods by which we create applications and conduct business.” He emphasized the need for collective expertise within the AAIF to build robust, scalable open source tools and standards.

Importance of Open Standards

Open standards are becoming increasingly crucial as the industry shifts from experimental operations to real-world deployment of AI systems. Research indicates that a staggering 89% of organizations employing AI are leveraging open source technologies in their operations. The collaborative efforts of AAIF members aim to foster an environment where shared governance aligns with the rapid evolution of agent-based AI architectures.

New Gold Members add significant strengths to the AAIF, including notable names such as Akamai, American Express, Autodesk, Circle, Diagrid, Equinix, and others. These organizations will actively participate in shaping the standards required to realize an interoperable AI infrastructure.

For instance, Akamai, a renowned cybersecurity and cloud computing powerhouse, advocates for frameworks that assure businesses can deploy autonomous AI efficiently and securely. Meanwhile, American Express seeks collaborative efforts to promote secure evolution within agentic AI through the establishment of reliable protocols. This positioning underscores how pivotal collaboration is within this emergent space.

Diverse Member Contributions

Each member organization brings unique strengths to the AAIF, enhancing collective capabilities. For example, Autodesk aims to redefine workflows across various sectors such as design and construction with a focus on open protocols, while Circle works towards advancing a programmable digital economy rooted in interoperability.

By joining the AAIF, these companies aim to participate more actively in the formulation and refinement of emerging standards. They also intend to contribute to innovations that facilitate seamless operations within the ecosystem of AI solutions.

Upcoming Events

Members and newly joined organizations will gather at the MCP Dev Summit in New York City on April 2-3. This summit will be a pivotal opportunity to discuss the roadmap for the future of agentic AI, collaborate on further developing open standards, and share insights that drive the industry forward into a new era of interoperable solutions.

As the AAIF continues to expand its influence and membership, the prospects for agentic AI's growth become ever more promising. The commitment of nearly 150 organizations to the objectives of the AAIF signifies a robust shift toward an operational reality where agentic AI can thrive, backed by a strong foundation of open, community-governed practices.

For those interested in becoming involved, the AAIF offers ample opportunity to engage with this pivotal movement shaping the future of AI technologies.