AI glossary · Agents and automation
Model Context Protocol (MCP)
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI assistants to other apps, files and data, so one connector works across many AI tools.
Also called MCP server
In more detail
Anthropic introduced MCP in late 2024 and other major AI companies adopted it. An app or service publishes an “MCP server” that describes what it can do; any AI assistant that supports MCP can then use it.
It is often compared to a USB-C port for AI: a common plug instead of a custom connection for every pair of tools. Only connect MCP servers you trust, because they can read data and take actions for the AI.
Example
Connecting an assistant to your project tracker through MCP so you can ask “What’s overdue this week?”
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