MCP (Model Context Protocol)

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standardized communication protocol developed by Anthropic that enables AI assistants to interact with external resources in a secure, controlled manner. Think of it as a universal translator that allows AI models to "speak" with various tools, databases, applications, and services. The protocol includes built-in security measures that ensure AI interactions with external systems are safe and authorized, while users maintain control over what the AI can access and what actions it can perform.

Rather than requiring custom integrations for each tool or service, MCP provides a common framework that developers can use to create compatible tools once, making them work with any MCP-enabled AI assistant. This standardization dramatically expands what an AI can help accomplish beyond just text generation, enabling connections to everything from simple calculators and web browsers to complex enterprise software and databases.

Through MCP, AI assistants gain real-time capabilities and can access current information, perform live searches, execute code, manipulate files, and interact with dynamic systems rather than being limited to their training data. Practical applications include helping users manage calendars, analyze spreadsheets, search through documents, interact with databases, control smart home devices, or integrate with business software, all while maintaining appropriate security boundaries and keeping users in control of the process.