What Is the Model Context Protocol?
MCP is an open protocol developed by Anthropic that standardizes how AI models connect to external systems. Think of it as a USB-C for AI: a universal connector that lets any AI assistant interact with any compatible service. MCP servers expose tools (functions the AI can call), resources (data the AI can read), and prompts (pre-built templates). In the advertising context, an MCP server for Google Ads exposes tools like 'list campaigns,' 'get keyword performance,' 'create ad group,' and 'run audit,' allowing AI agents to manage ad accounts programmatically.