The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed by Anthropic that connects AI assistants to systems where data actually lives, such as content repositories and business tools. It provides a universal protocol for accessing context between AI models and systems, allowing developers to build once and reuse integrations across multiple LLMs and clients. MCP aims to simplify the integration process, reduce fragmentation, and promote sustainability by providing a standardized directory of capabilities. The protocol enables secure, standardized connections, on-demand access, and seamless collaboration among different data sources. It also fosters an ecosystem of reusable connectors, making it easier for developers to build integrations without rewriting code in multiple ways. As MCP adoption grows, it is expected to reshape common development and AI usage patterns, leading to more agent-led integrations, standardized governance and logging, and streamlined integration processes. The protocol has the potential to set up a future where context-aware AI is the default, with data always just a tool call away.