Google Joins Forces with Anthropic to Adopt Model Context Protocol
Just a few weeks after OpenAI said it would adopt rival Anthropic’s standard for connecting AI models to the systems where data resides, Google is following suit.
Google DeepMind to Support Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol
In a post on X on Wednesday, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis announced that Google will add support for Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol, or MCP, to its Gemini models and SDK. He gave no timeline.
A Standard for Connecting AI Models to Data Sources
“MCP is a good protocol and it’s rapidly becoming an open standard for the AI agentic era,” wrote Hassabis. “Look forward to developing it further with the MCP team and others in the industry.”
What is Model Context Protocol?
MCP lets models draw data from sources like business tools and software to complete tasks, as well as from content repositories and app development environments. The protocol enables developers to build two-way connections between data sources and AI-powered applications, such as chatbots.
Data Exposure and Connection
Developers can expose data through “MCP servers” and build “MCP clients” — for instance, apps and workflows — that connect to those servers on command. In the months since Anthropic open sourced MCP, companies including Block, Apollo, Replit, Codeium, and Sourcegraph have added MCP support for their platforms.
Conclusion
Google’s decision to adopt Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol is a significant step towards standardizing the way AI models interact with data sources. As the protocol continues to gain traction, we can expect to see more companies adopting it, leading to greater interoperability and innovation in the AI industry.
FAQs
Q: What is Model Context Protocol?
A: Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard protocol for connecting AI models to data sources.
Q: What are the benefits of adopting MCP?
A: Adopting MCP enables developers to build two-way connections between data sources and AI-powered applications, such as chatbots, and exposes data through “MCP servers” and “MCP clients”.
Q: Which companies have adopted MCP so far?
A: Companies including Block, Apollo, Replit, Codeium, and Sourcegraph have added MCP support for their platforms.
Q: Will Google’s adoption of MCP affect its AI models?
A: Google’s adoption of MCP will enable its Gemini models and SDK to connect to data sources using the protocol, leading to greater interoperability and innovation in the AI industry.
