Understanding Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Anthropic introduced the Model Context Protocol (MCP) in 2024 to address the challenge of providing AI-powered applications with the necessary context for meaningful interaction. MCP is an open-source protocol that standardizes how AI models access diverse data sources and tools, enabling them to extend beyond their training data for flexible, context-aware responses. It uses a client-server architecture similar to the Language Server Protocol, allowing AI applications to connect with various tools via standardized server implementations. MCP includes core components like hosts, clients, servers, and a transport layer to facilitate secure interaction with local and remote tools, enhancing AI models' capabilities. By leveraging MCP, developers can create interoperable ecosystems where AI tools are accessible across multiple platforms, as demonstrated through integrations with Claude Desktop and other MCP-supported applications. The protocol aims to streamline the integration of AI models with external data, reducing the need for manual, non-standardized connections, and fostering a unified approach for AI development.