This foundational investment enables businesses to adapt swiftly as AI innovations naturally emerge. Companies that strategically embrace MCP today, as early adopters did with HTTP decades ago, quietly position themselves as tomorrow’s industry leaders.

MCP: The HTTP of AI

The industry is rapidly converging on MCP (model context protocol)  as a foundational standard for all agent based applications. Simply put MCP is the new HTTP for AI — it tells AI applications how what information and what actions they can take in an organized standard way.

Think of MCP as similar to HTTP, the standard protocol that revolutionized the web. Just as HTTP made webpages universally accessible and usable, MCP enables AI agents to securely discover, understand, and leverage business data without requiring extensive custom coding. Simply put, MCP makes your data “AI-ready.”

The agentic hierarchy of needs

To strategically incorporate AI into your business, consider the following structured approach, similar to Maslow’s hierarchy, where foundational elements support more advanced capabilities:

1. Foundation

Organize and structure your data: Begin by clearly organizing your data. Data should be clean, accessible, and securely stored. Much like a well-managed library, structured data ensures AI agents can easily locate and accurately interpret information, significantly reducing operational friction.

2. MCP server layer: secure data accessibility

Implement MCP servers as secure gateways for AI agents to access your structured data. Think of MCP servers as carefully regulated doorways, granting AI agents appropriate, controlled access to exactly what they need without risking data security.

3. Integration with familiar tools

Integrate MCP-compatible AI agents with existing business tools, such as desktop applications or simple web services. These basic integrations can immediately enhance productivity, similar to hiring efficient junior staff who quickly handle routine inquiries and research tasks.

4. Advanced task automation

As your familiarity grows, deploy AI agents to automate routine and repetitive tasks. Like reliable assistants, these agents manage daily operations, freeing up human expertise for more strategic, high-value tasks.

5. Collaborative multi-agent workflows

Eventually, your AI strategy can evolve to orchestrate multiple agents collaboratively handling complex processes. Similar to a well-organized team, these agent workflows operate efficiently and autonomously, minimizing the need for constant oversight.

How can we help?

O3’s team of AI experts specialize in helping organizations streamline operations through AI services. By leveraging standardized protocols like MCP, we help enterprises build AI systems that seamlessly connect with existing infrastructure and data sources. Most importantly, we make sure AI is aligned with the broader goals of the business. That’s how you move from experimenting with AI to driving real, sustained value. Ready to explore how MCP-enabled AI solutions can transform your enterprise operations? Let’s talk.

About the contributor

Nick Lewis
Nick Lewis
Staff Engineer
About O3

O3 helps organizations unlock growth and streamline operations through smart strategy, human-centered design, and integrated technology. We’re also the force behind the 1682 Conference, where leaders explore how AI shapes profit and process. Learn more about our work and innovation.