Identity Digital spins out agent identity unit as Known

Identity Digital is restructuring its experimental division focused on AI agent identity into an independent entity, signaling a strategic shift toward broader industry collaboration. The new company, Known, will continue developing DNSid, a framework designed to establish verifiable identities for autonomous software agents operating across digital platforms.

The move reflects growing recognition that agent accountability requires infrastructure not tied to a single domain registry or hosting provider. By operating as a separate entity, Known aims to attract participation from competing platforms, cloud providers, and enterprise software vendors that might hesitate to adopt a standard controlled by a direct competitor.

What happened

Earlier this year, Identity Digital launched Innovation Labs, an internal division tasked with exploring identity solutions for AI agents. The group introduced DNSid, positioning it as a foundational layer for agent verification using the Domain Name System. The framework was described as providing "birth certificates" for AI agents, enabling traceability and accountability as these systems perform tasks autonomously.

Identity Digital has now formally separated Innovation Labs into Known, a standalone company. The new entity will advance DNSid as an open standard while building enterprise-grade tooling to implement agent accountability at scale. Identity Digital will retain an investment stake and a board seat, ensuring ongoing alignment between the two organizations. Ethos Capital, which also backs Identity Digital, will provide initial financial support to Known.

Allie Kline, a partner at Ethos Capital and a board member of Identity Digital, has been appointed interim CEO of Known. The company is actively searching for a permanent chief executive while continuing development of its core identity framework.

Why it matters

The proliferation of AI agents across enterprise workflows has created demand for standardized identity mechanisms that can operate across organizational boundaries. Current approaches often rely on proprietary systems or platform-specific identifiers, limiting interoperability and complicating audit trails. DNSid proposes using the DNS, an existing global infrastructure, to anchor agent identities in a decentralized yet verifiable manner.

By spinning out Known, Identity Digital acknowledges that agent identity standards require industry-wide consensus to achieve critical mass. A standalone entity can engage with competitors, cloud providers, and software vendors without the perception of conflict that might arise from a registry operator controlling the standard. This structure mirrors successful open infrastructure projects where governance is separated from commercial interests to encourage broad adoption.

What to watch

Known’s success will depend on its ability to secure commitments from major cloud providers, enterprise software vendors, and AI platform operators. Early adopters will likely emerge from sectors where agent accountability is already a regulatory or operational priority, such as financial services and healthcare. The company’s interim leadership, drawn from Ethos Capital’s network, suggests a focus on scaling the business alongside technical development.

Industry observers will also monitor whether competing identity frameworks gain traction. Alternatives could include blockchain-based solutions or proprietary systems from hyperscalers, each with different trade-offs in decentralization, scalability, and governance. Known’s open approach, anchored in the DNS, positions it as a neutral option but requires broad participation to avoid fragmentation.