In a major step that could define the next decade of artificial intelligence, the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today officially launched the AI Agent Standards Initiative.
This landmark program is designed to build the critical technical foundations required for the safe, trusted, and widespread adoption of autonomous AI agents across every sector of the U.S. economy and beyond.
What Are AI Agents and Why Do They Matter?
Unlike today’s helpful chatbots and copilots, next-generation AI agents are truly autonomous. They can work independently for hours or even days, writing and debugging code, managing emails and calendars, conducting research, shopping online, and interacting with countless external systems on behalf of their users.
The productivity promise is enormous – but so are the current limitations. Without reliable ways for these agents to securely connect to external platforms, protect sensitive data, and work smoothly with agents built by other companies, the entire ecosystem risks becoming fragmented, insecure, and slow to scale.
NIST Steps Forward to Secure America’s AI Future
To prevent fragmentation and accelerate responsible innovation, NIST – through its new Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) and in close partnership with the agency’s Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) – has launched a coordinated national effort.
The AI Agent Standards Initiative will catalyze industry-led standards and protocols while reinforcing U.S. leadership at the global technological frontier.
Working hand-in-hand with the National Science Foundation and other federal partners, the initiative rests on three strategic pillars:
1. Driving Industry-Led Standards with Global Influence
Actively supporting American companies in developing robust technical standards while ensuring strong U.S. leadership in international standards organizations.
2. Fostering Community-Led Open-Source Protocols
Championing transparent, community-governed open-source protocols and reference implementations so developers everywhere can easily build secure, compatible AI agents.
3. Advancing Research in AI Agent Security and Identity
Deepening cutting-edge research into security, authentication, authorization, and digital identity – unlocking powerful new use cases in healthcare, finance, critical infrastructure, and beyond while dramatically reducing risks.
How to Get Involved – Public Input Welcome
NIST is taking a highly collaborative approach. In the coming months, the agency will release research reports, technical guidelines, reference architectures, and best-practice frameworks.
You can participate right now through two open opportunities:
– CAISI’s Request for Information on AI Agent Security – responses due March 9, 2026
– ITL’s AI Agent Identity and Authorization Concept Paper – responses due April 2, 2026
Starting in April, CAISI will also host a series of sector-specific listening sessions focused on real-world barriers to AI agent adoption, with the goal of quickly turning insights into concrete pilot projects.
A Vision for Trusted, Human-Centered AI
With the launch of the AI Agent Standards Initiative, NIST is sending a clear message: the United States is committed to building an AI ecosystem that is not only powerful and innovative, but also secure, interoperable, and aligned with American values.
The initiative aims to deliver transformative benefits to businesses, workers, and citizens while cementing U.S. dominance in responsible AI development for the 21st century.
Full details, submission portals, and event calendars will be posted on the official CAISI and NIST websites in the coming days.
