In the waning days of November in the previous year, Anthropic did unveil a groundbreaking open-source endeavor known far and wide as the revered Model Context Protocol, or MCP for brevity’s sake. Although its debut did not echo through the halls of technology news with resounding applause, the humble beginnings of MCP have since blossomed into a force to be reckoned with. Behold! Two behemoths of the artificial intelligence realm, OpenAI and Google, have thrown their weight behind the MCP standard. But what, dear readers, is this enigmatic MCP, and what splendid applications does it unfurl in the realm of AI? Fear not, for we embark on a journey to unfurl the secrets of the Model Context Protocol, revealing its inner workings and myriad uses.
What is Model Context Protocol in AI?
Picture this, noble denizens of the internet – the Model Context Protocol, baptized as MCP, emerges as a beacon of connectivity in the AI universe. Anthropic, the artisans behind the venerable Claude AI chatbot, have birthed this wonder to allow AI models to transcend their solitary existence. No longer shall they dwell in solitude, unable to peer into your files or decipher the cryptic messages of Slack. Nay! With MCP at their disposal, AI models sport a universal connector, enabling them to commune with external data sources with effortless grace. No more shall companies laboriously craft bespoke connectors for each application, for MCP swoops in as the harbinger of a universal connector, a common protocol that harmonizes AI models with external data sources. Imagine, if you will, a world where a chatbot like Claude dances merrily with Google Drive or GitHub, all thanks to the ethereal threads of MCP weaving them together.
Envision, noble readers, a realm where the MCP protocol reigns supreme, allowing AI models to frolic with data sources in a secure and context-aware manner. Here, a two-way street emerges – the MCP server beckons forth data, while the MCP client, exemplified by the Claude Desktop app, humbly receives this bounty. Such is the dance of connectivity facilitated by the elegant MCP protocol, a haven where information flows freely, unencumbered by the shackles of isolation.
MCP stands as a veritable haven for those of the developer ilk, a tool crafted to delight and empower. Herein lies the realm where developers craft MCP servers and clients with meticulous care and fervor. Yet, what of us, simple denizens yearning for the fruits of this labor? Lo! MCP servers beckon from afar, inviting you to imbue Google Maps, WhatsApp, or even GitHub with the transformative aura of AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Step forth boldly, for MCP ushers in an era where connecting powerful AI models with external data sources is no longer a distant dream but a tangible reality.
Is Model Context Protocol (MCP) an AI Agent?
A question lingers in the hallowed halls of AI ponderings – could MCP be the elusive AI agent shrouded in mystique? Alas, such thoughts must be quelled, for MCP, dear reader, is a humble communication protocol, fostering harmony between AI models and their external data sources. While an AI agent dons the mantle of planning, decision-making, and task execution, MCP strides forth as the bridge between disparate systems, a conduit for the flow of information.
Marvel at the potential resting within MCP’s embrace, a force poised to enhance the reliability of AI agents and unlock their true prowess. Behold! At the Google Next 2025 soiree, the search titan unveiled the Agent2Agent Protocol (A2A), a symphony of interaction that allows AI agents to converse with one another. In this grand tapestry, Google extols the virtues of A2A as a complement to Anthropic’s MCP, offering invaluable context and tools to the agents forging new frontiers.
As we saunter forth into an era brimming with agentic AI wonders, MCP emerges as a stalwart companion, empowering action-driven AI assistants with newfound versatility and might.
Popular MCP Servers You Should Be Using
Amidst the labyrinth of community-driven creations, Anthropic’s masterful handiwork shines brightly, offering a plethora of MCP servers for the curious souls to explore. Venture forth into the realms of Google Drive, where the MCP server beckons, promising the treasures of file searching and access through the Claude Desktop app.
Witness the grandeur of the Filesystem MCP server, a realm where files on your local machine bend to your will – be it reading, writing, creating, or deleting, all at your fingertips. Let not Slack’s siren song sway you, for the Slack MCP server stands ready to manage channels, post messages, and delve into the intricacies of message retrieval.
Delve deeper still into the GitHub MCP server’s allure, where repositories shift and branches sway in the breeze of collaboration. Yet, beyond the confines of Anthropic’s creations, a vibrant tapestry of community-driven MCP servers awaits – Google Calendar, Airtable, Airbnb, and a host of others beckon, promising a symphony of connectivity and interaction with the world’s wonders.
In conclusion, MCP heralds a renaissance in the realm of AI chatbots, steering them beyond mere conversation into the realm of actionable utility across diverse workflows.
