Anthropic has launched a new open source tool to connect ai assistants directly to the information they need to inform their responses or perform tasks. The new model context protocol (MCP) provides a universal connection to all types of data sources, which Anthropic says will improve performance.
Earlier this month, OpenAI began testing a new “Work with Apps” feature that allows the Mac version of ChatGPT to connect directly to certain coding apps. Anthropic's tool, on the other hand, aims to work across all ai systems and data sources.
<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/alexalbert__/status/1861079886619918644″>As Alex Albert pointed outrelationship manager with Anthropic's Claude, developers currently have to create custom code for each data set they want their ai model to be based on. With Anthropic's MCP, Albert says developers can integrate it with their ai tool once and then “connect to data sources anywhere” thanks to a “standard protocol for sharing resources, tools and directions.”
Anthropic says coding software such as Replit, Codeium and Souregraph have already started using MCP to develop their ai agents, which can complete tasks on behalf of users. This tool is likely to make it easier for other companies and developers to connect an ai system with multiple data sources, something that could be especially useful as the industry moves toward agent ai.
“Instead of maintaining separate connectors for each data source, developers can now build with a standard protocol,” Anthropic's announcement says. “As the ecosystem matures, ai systems will maintain context as they move between different tools and data sets, replacing current fragmented integrations with a more sustainable architecture.”
