Ecosystem
The Foundation provides common engineering. Independent organisations build compatible implementations on top of it.
Who takes part
- AEN Foundation Planned non-profit
- Develops and maintains the specifications. Does not own the directories built with them.
- Directory operators Independent companies
- Run their own compatible directory, with their own brand, domain, policies, listings and business model.
- Technology vendors Platforms and providers
- Register the services and integrations they already offer, such as payments, booking or inventory.
- Businesses Of any size
- Publish structured information and capabilities through a compatible directory. Their website stays as it is.
- AI agents Any provider
- Choose which compatible directories to use, based on the request, coverage, specialisation and trust.
- Developers and researchers Implementers
- Review and contribute to specifications, and build compatible implementations.
Independent directories
AEN does not require a central directory. A company can use AEN engineering to run its own, with its own brand, domain, infrastructure, registration policies, listings and commercial model, and remain responsible for operating it. A directory can cover any industry or specialise in one, or serve a single country or region.
Directories start out operating individually. Interoperability between them is a possible later capability, optional for every operator.
How an agent chooses
Agents decide which compatible directories to use. They may weigh:
- The user’s request
- Geographical coverage
- Industry specialisation
- Available business information
- Supported capabilities
- Reliability and trustworthiness
- The agent’s own integration preferences
Small businesses
A local food shop already has a website, menu, opening hours and perhaps an ordering and payment system. It should not have to build a new application for every AI platform. By publishing structured information through a compatible directory, an agent can understand:
- What the business offers and where it operates
- Which products or services are available, and at what price
- When they are available
- Which actions can be performed
- What requirements or restrictions apply
The existing website stays useful for human visitors.
Vendors and platforms
Payment providers, booking platforms, inventory systems and e-commerce platforms already expose APIs. They can register supported services and integrations in a compatible directory, as structured vendor information with capabilities and connection details.
This is not an API marketplace. APIs may be used by implementations; AEN describes how services and capabilities are represented, discovered and used.