APIs have been the backbone of software integration for decades — but AI systems have different needs. The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI agents connect to tools, data sources, and services in a structured, consistent way. It looks familiar on the surface, but treating MCP like a conventional API leads developers down the wrong path fast. This session covers what MCP is, how it differs from REST and function-based APIs in terms of state, discovery, and intent, and why those differences become critical the moment an LLM is making decisions autonomously. We'll also touch on getting started — connecting to an existing MCP server and walking through real-world examples that show what's possible once everything is wired together. Attendees will leave with a clear mental model of where MCP fits, when to reach for it over a traditional API, and a concrete starting point for their first integration.