The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed by Anthropic that connects AI assistants to various data sources, enabling seamless data access and integration through a single protocol. By standardizing how AI interacts with diverse systems, MCP aims to improve the relevance and accuracy of AI responses while simplifying the integration process for developers. This protocol fosters an ecosystem of reusable connectors, enhancing long-term maintainability and security in AI applications.