What is MCP Really?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) functions as a universal communication standard for AI systems, similar to how USB-C serves various devices, enabling large language models to interact with external tools and services seamlessly. By employing a client-server model where the AI acts as the client and communicates through JSON-RPC, MCP allows for the integration of real-time information and specialized systems without relying on proprietary APIs. This emerging standard, introduced in 2024, is collaboratively developed by AI companies and open-source contributors, aiming to create more interoperable and reusable systems for developers, and enhancing the ability of AI assistants to access live data and applications.