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DevelopmentIntermediate2024

MCP

Model Context Protocol

MCP is an open standard that helps AI applications connect to tools, files and data sources in a consistent way.

Explained simply

MCP is an open standard that helps AI applications connect to tools, files and data sources in a consistent way.

1AI application
→
2MCP connection
→
3Tools and data
→
4Action or answer

At a glance

Category
Development
Difficulty
Intermediate
Introduced
2024

Real example

An AI assistant uses MCP to search files, check a calendar and create a task through standard connections.

Why it matters

A shared standard can reduce the need to build a different connector for every AI tool and data source.

Timeline

2024

Anthropic introduces MCP as an open standard.

2025

More AI tools and developer platforms add support.

Adoption

Organisations begin connecting assistants to internal tools.

Today

MCP is used for standardised AI-to-tool connections.

Next

The ecosystem may continue to grow across products and vendors.

Dates for broad concepts may describe the period when the idea emerged or became widely used, rather than one exact invention date.

Learn next

Continue with these connected terms:

APIAn API is a connection that lets two pieces of software ask each other for information or actions.→Function CallingFunction calling lets an AI request a specific software action, such as checking the weather or creating a calendar event.→AgentAn AI agent is an AI that can work toward a goal by planning steps, using tools and taking actions—not just replying to a question.→

Simple infographic

A quick visual way to understand MCP.

1AI application
→
2MCP connection
→
3Tools and data
→
4Action or answer
1 of 6

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