AI & I MCP Servers: Teaching AI to Use the Internet Like Humans
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Oct 1, 2025 Alex Rattray, Founder and CEO of Stainless, delves into the intricate world of MCP servers and their role in connecting AI to the internet. He explains the importance of designing effective APIs, highlighting the balance between having too many tools and not enough. Alex shares a practical example of handling refunds across multiple platforms, illustrating the complexities involved. He also discusses the future of AI incorporating code execution, leading to a cyborg-like interaction. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of AI and cutting-edge tech!
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APIs Are The Internet's Dendrites
- APIs are the fundamental connections that let software and services interact and automate workflows.
- Alex compares APIs to dendrites that enable the internet to 'think' by connecting systems.
LLMs Need Native Interfaces
- LLMs introduce a new class of actor that needs native ways to use services, not just human UIs or server APIs.
- MCP aims to be that native interface so models can perform tasks across apps directly.
Refunding A Customer Across Apps
- Alex walks through a refund workflow that spans multiple apps to illustrate the agentic AI promise.
- The example shows how one human task can require dozens of clicks across dashboards, which AI could automate end-to-end.