From custom integrations to A2UI: A better way to ship agent UIs

A2UI, or Agent to UI, is a Google protocol that enables AI agents to generate dynamic user interfaces on demand, facilitating richer interactions beyond simple chat interfaces. By employing a declarative approach, A2UI treats UI as structured data, allowing agents to send JSON descriptions of UI components rather than code, which are then rendered using native components. The concept is akin to Telegram-style mini-apps and aims to streamline workflows by providing interactive interfaces directly to users. This guide details the process of building an A2UI mini-app, from understanding the declarative UI schema and integrating the A2UI Bridge with React, to running a complete demo using Google's Gemini model. A2UI is currently in public preview, and as it evolves, it promises to enhance AI interactions with graphical interfaces, offering clearer workflows and more control over complex interactions.