Video produced by Steve Nathans-Kelly
In this clip from Data Summit 2026, Factor information architect Connor Cantrell explains what an MCP server is, how MCPs address age-old problems information architects face as AI takes on, how they operate as a layer between AI experiences and the data that information engineers maintain, and how MCPs’ ease of setup and accelerated build times both benefit organizations and at the same time can accelerate siloization and duplication of effort.
“From my perspective an MCP server is a layer from AI services and the data I maintain,” Cantrell said. “The fact that MCPs are so quick and easy to set up is another significant factor of adoption.”
Spinning up a quick MCP sounds great until you have a dozen MCPs, Cantrell noted. MCPs are only as functional as the governance process that guides the data they expose.
The annual Data Summit conference returned to Boston, May 6-7, 2026, with pre-conference workshops on May 5.
Videos and clips of presentations from Data Summit 2026 are now available for on-demand viewing on the DBTA YouTube channel.
Save the date: Data Summit 2027 is returning to Boston on May 12 -13, with pre-conference workshops on May 11. More information about Data Summit 2027 is coming soon.