VENDORiQ: Google is making Space for its AI Agents

Why it Matters

The announcement of Google Cloud’s AI agent ecosystem program is significant for organisations looking to integrate AI agents into their operations. Google Cloud addresses the growing demand for agentic solutions across various industries by providing a structured platform for partners to develop AI agents. The program’s focus on accelerated agent development and increased customer visibility will likely enhance the adoption of agentic technologies through 2026 and 2027.

Google’s Agent Space follows efforts by other vendors to create open ecosystems for highly specific—often industry-focused—agents. For instance, Boomi recently introduced its ‘Agent Garden’, and Salesforce launched its ‘Agent Marketplace’. 

From 2025 to 2026, agents and agentic are expected to become the hot buzzwords in the ICT industry. Agent marketplaces will gain significant traction. However, IBRS believes that the promise of agents/agentic AI will eventually succumb to the same hype and overpromises seen with ChatGPT and Copilot-like services. This will lead to a market shift toward AI orchestration frameworks that utilise AI agents but are built deeply into existing ERP solutions, providing a more integrated approach to AI deployment. Swarm-based agentic services will also emerge as the costs of running AI computations continue to fall.

IBRS has noted that Google’s approach, particularly the integration of its Vertex AI platform, simplifies the development and deployment of AI. Introducing agent marketplaces to broad AI deployment platforms such as Vertex will lead to even greater competition among major cloud providers, prompting further innovation in AI technologies. Additionally, democratising AI development through no-code solutions like the Vertex AI Agent Builder will encourage more organisations to create custom agentic solutions, broadening the scope and specificity of AI services.

However, the adoption of AI agents is not without challenges. Concerns about security, ethical issues, and data privacy remain prevalent. Organisations must navigate these challenges carefully to ensure the responsible deployment of AI agents. Furthermore, the potential for increased dependence on AI systems raises questions about the future of work and the socio-economic implications of automation.

Who’s Impacted?

• Chief Information Officers (CIOs): Need to assess the integration of AI agents into existing IT infrastructure.
• Chief Technology Officers (CTOs): Should evaluate the technical feasibility and potential benefits of AI agents for their organisations.
• Data Privacy Officers: Must address data security and privacy concerns associated with AI agent deployment.
• Operations Managers: Can explore AI agents to enhance operational efficiency and customer service.

Next Steps

• Evaluate the potential benefits and risks of integrating AI agents into your organisation.
• Monitor the AI Agent marketplaces of your existing vendors and implement a program of running trials and PoCs as new agents become available.
• Invest in upskilling employees to work alongside agentic technologies.