GitHub and Microsoft Join Anthropic's MCP Steering Committee to Advance AI Integration

GitHub and Microsoft have officially joined the steering committee for Anthropic’s Model Connectivity Protocol (MCP), a pivotal standard designed to facilitate seamless connections between AI models and the systems where data resides. Announced at Microsoft’s Build 2025 conference, this move underscores the growing momentum MCP is gaining within the AI industry, with major players like OpenAI and Google already backing the protocol.

MCP enables AI models to access and interact with diverse data sources such as business tools, content repositories, and software development environments. By establishing two-way connections, developers can create AI-powered applications—like chatbots—that dynamically pull data and execute tasks based on real-time information. This is achieved through “MCP servers,” which expose data and functionalities, and “MCP clients,” which connect to these servers on demand.

Microsoft and GitHub’s commitment includes broad first-party support for MCP across their platforms, including Microsoft Azure and Windows 11. Upcoming Windows updates will integrate MCP, allowing developers to expose app functionalities—such as file system access, window management, and Windows Subsystem for Linux—as MCP servers. This integration empowers AI models to interact directly with core system features, enhancing automation and user experience.

Security is a top priority in this collaboration. Microsoft’s identity and security teams have worked closely with Anthropic and the MCP community to develop an updated authorization specification. This spec enables trusted sign-in methods, ensuring AI-powered apps can securely access sensitive data and services, including personal storage and subscription plans, without compromising user privacy or system integrity.

GitHub’s contribution includes designing a registry service for MCP servers. This service allows developers to create centralized repositories—public or private—for MCP server entries. It facilitates discovery, management, and configuration of various MCP implementations, streamlining development workflows and fostering a collaborative ecosystem for AI integration.

The adoption of MCP by industry leaders like Microsoft, GitHub, OpenAI, and Google signals a significant step toward standardized AI connectivity. This standardization promises to accelerate the development of intelligent applications that can seamlessly access and manipulate data across platforms, driving innovation in enterprise AI solutions, software development, and user-centric AI experiences.

Implications for Developers and Enterprises

For developers, MCP offers a robust framework to build AI applications that are deeply integrated with existing data infrastructures and system functionalities. Enterprises can leverage MCP to enhance automation, improve data accessibility, and ensure secure AI interactions across their digital ecosystems. The protocol’s emphasis on security and discoverability addresses critical challenges in AI deployment, making it a foundational technology for future AI innovations.