Anthropic has launched its Model Context Protocol (MCP) as an open-source solution, offering users a standardized method to link data sources with AI applications. In a blog post, the company describes the protocol as a “universal open standard” designed to integrate AI systems with various data sources.

Alex Albert, Head of Claude Relations at Anthropic, stated on X that the company’s goal is “to build a world where AI connects to any data source” with MCP as a “universal translator.”

“Part of what makes MCP powerful is that it handles both local resources (your databases, files, and services) and remote ones (APIs like Slack or GitHub’s) through the same protocol,” Albert said. 

Since MCP is an open-source project, the company said it encourages users to contribute to its repository of connectors and implementations. Anthropic further wants MCP to work even beyond Claude as a step toward model and data source interoperability.