---
title: "Model Context Protocol (MCP)"
description: "The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI models to securely connect to data sources and tools, standardized by Anthropic."
canonical: https://arboraistudio.com/glossary/what-is-model-context-protocol/
last-updated: 2026-07-18
---

# Model Context Protocol (MCP)

> The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI models to securely connect to data sources and tools, standardized by Anthropic.

- Canonical: https://arboraistudio.com/glossary/what-is-model-context-protocol/
- Updated: 2026-07-18

## Explanation

Before MCP, connecting an AI model to a new data source (like Google Drive, Slack, or a local Postgres database) required building a custom integration for every single application. This created a fragmented ecosystem where an AI in one app couldn't see data in another. MCP solves this 'm-to-n' complexity problem by standardizing the connection. It operates like a USB-C port for AI: you build an 'MCP Server' for your data once, and any MCP-compliant client (like Claude Desktop, Cursor, or custom agents) can plug into it instantly.

For enterprises, MCP changes the game by allowing secure, local-first data access. Instead of uploading all your sensitive documents to a cloud vector store, an MCP server can run locally on your machine or within your private VPC, exposing data to the AI only when requested. It provides a standardized way to give agents 'tools' - like the ability to search a database or create a file - without rewriting code for every new model update.

## Related Service

[Custom AI Engineering & Workflow Orchestration](https://arboraistudio.com/services/custom-ai-engineering-workflow-orchestration/)