Article Summary
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is introduced as a new standard enabling AI models, such as Anthropic's Claude, to request, retrieve, and cite information from external sources in real-time. This protocol allows AI assistants to go beyond their training data by dynamically accessing current web content or private databases.
- MCP facilitates a bidirectional relationship where AI models 'browse' for information as needed, rather than relying solely on pre-indexed data or RAG systems.
- It offers publishers a mechanism for their content to be directly accessed and attributed by AI, potentially creating new revenue streams or engagement models through citations and direct referrals.
- The protocol is designed to address issues of AI hallucination and provide transparency by linking AI responses back to their source material.
- MCP aims to be an open standard, fostering a more interactive and verifiable relationship between AI assistants and the vast ocean of online information.