Dive into the future of AI-assisted development! This session explores GitHub Copilot's powerful Model Context Protocol (MCP) within VS Code. Learn how MCP allows Copilot to interact with external tools and data sources, transforming it into a truly context-aware agent. We'll demystify the setup process, from configuring MCP servers to integrating custom tools, enabling Copilot to go beyond code generation and actively act on your GitHub project's unique environment. Expect practical steps, real-world use cases, and a live demo showing how MCP empowers Copilot to perform tasks like reviewing PRs, Creating Issues, Comparing your Repo's code with other public projects out there on GitHub, interacting with APIs and much much more, all from your IDE. Elevate your development workflow with truly intelligent AI!

What you will Learn:
- Understand the core concepts and benefits of GitHub Copilot's Model Context Protocol (MCP).
- Learn how to configure and enable MCP servers within VS Code. (Local and Remote)
- Discover how to integrate external tools and data sources with Copilot.
- See practical examples of how MCP enables Copilot to perform complex, context-aware tasks.
- Gain insights into building a more powerful and autonomous AI pair programmer.

Technical Requirements (for live demo):
Stable Wi-Fi connection required for GitHub Copilot functionality and MCP server interactions.
IDE: Latest VS Code pre-installed with GitHub Copilot & GitHub Copilot Chat extensions installed and active.
Runtime Environments: Node.js (for npx-based MCP servers) or Python (for python-based MCP servers) depending on the demo servers chosen.
(Optional): A sample repository with a .vscode/mcp.json configuration and a simple custom MCP server setup for demonstration.

Target Audience:
Software Developers (mid-to-senior level)
DevOps Engineers & Tooling Specialists
AI/ML Enthusiasts in a development context
Anyone currently using GitHub Copilot and looking to extend its capabilities significantly.
Teams interested in building more autonomous AI-powered workflows.
Preferred Session Duration:

Standard Talk: 45-60 minutes (including 10-15 min for Q&A).
Extended/Workshop: 75-90 minutes (if detailed setup and multiple MCP server types are demonstrated, allowing for more in-depth exploration).