Google Cloud expands Agent Builder, rivaling OpenAI’s Agent Development Kit
Google Cloud is deepening its foray into AI orchestration, rolling out a broader version of its Agent Builder platform. The move arrives amid what industry insiders are dubbing an “agent builder arms race,” where cloud providers vie for dominance in the tools that let developers stitch together autonomous assistants. While Google’s push leans on its massive infrastructure, OpenAI has been courting the same developer crowd with a freely available Agent Development Kit that sidesteps its own models.
The competition isn’t just about feature lists; it’s a test of how open‑source frameworks can attract enterprises looking to embed agents without locking into a single vendor. Adding another layer, the recently announced AgentKit bundles an Agent Builder aimed at helping companies weave agents directly into their applications. This backdrop frames the upcoming comparison of the two toolsets and what it means for developers seeking flexibility in the evolving AI services market.
Google's Agent Builder competes with OpenAI's open-source Agent Development Kit, which enables developers to create AI agents using non-OpenAI models. Additionally, there is the recently announced AgentKit, which features an Agent Builder that enables companies to integrate agents into their applications easily. AWS also offers agent builders on its Bedrock platform.
However, it isn't just companies with their own models that court developers to build their AI agents within their platforms. Any enterprise service provider with an agent library also wants clients to make agents on their systems. Capturing developer interest and keeping them within the ecosystem is the big battle between tech companies now, with features to make building and governing agents easier.
Google’s latest Agent Builder update adds governance tools, a move that nudges enterprises toward tighter control of their AI pipelines. Yet the question remains whether these features will meaningfully differentiate Google Cloud from OpenAI’s open‑source Agent Development Kit, which already lets developers build agents with non‑OpenAI models. Because the platform still touts a no‑code interface, small teams can spin up agents with just a few lines of code, and that simplicity may keep developers on Google’s stack.
However, the competitive edge is unclear; AgentKit’s recent Agent Builder offers a similar integration path for companies looking to embed agents directly into applications. And while the expanded orchestration capabilities suggest a deeper push into the “agentic enterprise” narrative, it is uncertain how much of the market will adopt Google’s tooling over existing alternatives. In short, Google Cloud has bolstered its agent‑building suite, but whether the added governance and low‑code options will translate into lasting platform lock‑in is still an open question.
Further Reading
- OpenAI vs. Google vs. Jules: Choosing Your AI Agent Platform in 2025 - Toolshelf
- Google vs OpenAI vs Anthropic: The Agentic AI Arms Race Breakdown - MarkTechPost
- OpenAI Agent Builder vs Google Vertex AI Agents vs Microsoft Copilot - CoSupport AI
- Best AI Agent Builder Platforms in 2025 — Visual, No-Code AI Tools - Cygnis
Common Questions Answered
How does Google Cloud's expanded Agent Builder aim to compete with OpenAI's Agent Development Kit?
Google Cloud's broader Agent Builder adds governance tools and leverages its massive infrastructure to give enterprises tighter control over AI pipelines. By offering a no‑code interface alongside these controls, it seeks to attract developers who value both simplicity and enterprise‑grade oversight, positioning itself directly against OpenAI's open‑source kit.
What new governance features are included in the latest Google Cloud Agent Builder update?
The update introduces governance tools that let enterprises monitor, audit, and enforce policies across their AI agents. These features are designed to provide tighter control over AI pipelines, helping organizations manage risk while still using a low‑code development experience.
Which other cloud providers are mentioned as offering competing agent builder solutions?
The article references OpenAI's open‑source Agent Development Kit, the newly announced AgentKit, and AWS's Bedrock platform, all of which provide developers with tools to create and integrate AI agents. Each platform aims to capture the growing developer interest in building autonomous assistants.
Why might the no‑code interface of Google Cloud's Agent Builder be appealing to small development teams?
The no‑code interface allows small teams to spin up functional AI agents with just a few lines of code, reducing the need for extensive engineering resources. This simplicity can accelerate development cycles and lower barriers to entry, making it attractive for rapid prototyping and deployment.