The Model Context Protocol (MCP) was proposed by Anthropic in November 2024. The relevant blog is "Introducing the Model Context Protocol".

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that replaces fragmented integration with a single protocol, providing a simpler and more reliable way for AI systems to access the data they need. It enables developers to establish secure, bidirectional connections between their data sources and AI tools, helping cutting-edge models generate better, more relevant responses. Developers can expose their data through MCP servers or build AI applications (MCP clients) that connect to these servers.