Conceptualizing the Agent-to-Cloud Economy (A2C) A Theoretical Framework for AI Agents as Autonomous Consumers of Cloud Services
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63856/ijis/v2i6/00001Keywords:
Agent-to-Cloud Economy; AI Agents; Cloud Computing; Autonomous Consumption; Multi-Agent Systems; Resource Orchestration; Economic Frameworks; Digital Agents; Serverless Computing; Agentic AIAbstract
The proliferation of large language model (LLM)-powered AI agents capable of independently invoking cloud APIs, provisioning compute resources, and orchestrating multi-step workflows marks a fundamental transition in how cloud infrastructure is consumed. Classical demand-side economics and cloud service models have been conceived around human principals—operators who deliberate, budget, and authorise resource expenditure. When the consuming entity is itself an AI agent operating under programmatic autonomy, the assumptions underlying cloud economics, governance, and architecture break down in non-trivial ways. This paper introduces the Agent-to-Cloud Economy (A2C) as a conceptual construct and offers the first integrated theoretical framework that positions AI agents as first-class, autonomous consumers of cloud services. Drawing upon principal–agent theory, transaction cost economics, resource-based view theory, and complexity science, the A2C framework delineates five structural layers: (i) Agent Identity and Authorisation, (ii) Demand Prediction and Resource Pre-warming, (iii) Cost Internalisation and Budget Governance, (iv) Multi-Agent Market Dynamics, and (v) Regulatory and Ethical Guardrails. Using formal modelling, illustrative case studies, and projected market data synthesised from primary surveys (n = 312 cloud architects and AI product managers), the study demonstrates that A2C arrangements introduce emergent economic behaviours—including demand amplification loops, shadow procurement, and latency-sensitive bidding—that existing pricing models are ill-equipped to handle. The paper concludes with a research agenda and policy implications for cloud providers, enterprise architects, and regulators.
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