# Agentic AI Frameworks: Architectures, Protocols, and Design Challenges

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.10146 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.10146/

## Key facts

- Cited by 16 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in General LLM agent frameworks and benchmarks, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use.
- Builds on 14 of its 27 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 13 Aug 2025.

## Placed in

- LLM agents and tool use / [General LLM agent frameworks and benchmarks](https://mlsanity.com/agents/general-llm-agent-frameworks-and-benchmarks/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 14 of 14)

- [ReAct: Synergizing Reasoning and Acting in Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.03629/) (2022)
- [Reflexion: Language Agents with Verbal Reinforcement Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.11366/) (2023)
- [A Survey on Large Language Model based Autonomous Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.11432/) (2023)
- [MetaGPT: Meta Programming for A Multi-Agent Collaborative Framework](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.00352/) (2023)
- [A survey of agent interoperability protocols: Model Context Protocol (MCP), Agent Communication Protocol (ACP), Agent-to-Agent Protocol (A2A), and Agent Network Protocol (ANP)](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.02279/) (2025)
- [A Survey of AI Agent Protocols](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.16736/) (2025)
- [A Scalable Communication Protocol for Networks of Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.11905/) (2024)
- [From LLM to Conversational Agent: A Memory Enhanced Architecture with Fine-Tuning of Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.02777/) (2024)
- [Exploration of LLM Multi-Agent Application Implementation Based on LangGraph+CrewAI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.18241/) (2024)
- [Agent AI with LangGraph: A Modular Framework for Enhancing Machine Translation Using Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.03801/) (2024)
- [Empowering Working Memory for Large Language Model Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.17259/) (2023)
- [Agentic AI Systems Applied to tasks in Financial Services: Modeling and model risk management crews](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.05439/) (2025)
- [Episodic memory in AI agents poses risks that should be studied and mitigated](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.11739/) (2025)
- [PRACT: Optimizing Principled Reasoning and Acting of LLM Agent](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.18528/) (2024)

## Built on by (most cited first, 16 of 16)

- [Agentic AI: A Comprehensive Survey of Architectures, Applications, and Future Directions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.25445/) (2025)
- [PPTArena: A Benchmark for PowerPoint Editing](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.03042/) (2025)
- [LLM-Based Agentic Systems for Software Engineering: Challenges and Opportunities](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.09822/) (2026)
- [Large Language Model Agent for User-friendly Chemical Process Simulations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.11650/) (2026)
- [From Prompt-Response to Goal-Directed Systems: The Evolution of Agentic AI Software Architecture](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.10479/) (2026)
- [Where Agent Frameworks Fall Short: Examining Functional Challenges and Usability Concerns](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.21806/) (2026)
- [Interpreting Agentic Systems: Beyond Model Explanations to System-Level Accountability](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.17168/) (2026)
- [Real-Time AI Service Economy: A Framework for Agentic Computing Across the Continuum](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.05614/) (2026)
- [Declarative by Design, Assistable Only by Convention: Benchmarking Multi-Agent Frameworks for AI-Assistability](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.11198/) (2026)
- [Quantum-Secure-By-Construction (QSC): A Paradigm Shift For Post-Quantum Agentic Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.15668/) (2026)
- [RECOVER: Robust Entity Correction via agentic Orchestration of hypothesis Variants for Evidence-based Recovery](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.16411/) (2026)
- [Autonoma: A Hierarchical Multi-Agent Framework for End-to-End Workflow Automation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.19270/) (2026)
- [Agentic Frameworks for Reasoning Tasks: An Empirical Study](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.16646/) (2026)
- [Agentic AI Ecosystems in Higher Education: A Perspective on AI Agents to Emerging Inclusive, Agentic Multi-Agent AI Framework for Learning, Teaching and Institutional Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.14266/) (2026)
- [Neuro-Symbolic Agents for Regulated Process Automation: Challenges and Research Agenda](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.13405/) (2026)
- [InterSAGE: The Secure and Verifiable Interoperability Protocol for An Internet of Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.13030/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs) has ushered in a transformative paradigm in artificial intelligence, Agentic AI, where intelligent agents exhibit goal-directed autonomy, contextual reasoning, and dynamic multi-agent coordination. This paper provides a systematic review and comparative analysis of leading Agentic AI frameworks, including CrewAI, LangGraph, AutoGen, Semantic Kernel, Agno, Google ADK, and MetaGPT, evaluating their architectural principles, communication mechanisms, memory management, safety guardrails, and alignment with service-oriented computing paradigms. Furthermore, we identify key limitations, emerging trends, and open challenges in the field. To address the issue of agent communication, we conduct an in-depth analysis of protocols such as the Contract Net Protocol (CNP), Agent-to-Agent (A2A), Agent Network Protocol (ANP), and Agora. Our findings not only establish a foundational taxonomy for Agentic AI systems but also propose future research directions to enhance scalability, robustness, and interoperability. This work serves as a comprehensive reference for researchers and practitioners working to advance the next generation of autonomous AI systems.