Core Insights - The launch of Manus and the popularity of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) have accelerated the development of intelligent agents among major companies since April 2023 [1][24] - Various companies have introduced MCP services, enhancing the capabilities of their intelligent agents and breaking down software barriers, leading to improved efficiency and accuracy [3][24] Group 1: Company Developments - Alibaba Cloud launched the MCP service on April 9, 2023, followed by Ant Group, ByteDance, and Baidu introducing their respective MCP integrations throughout April [1] - By April 29, 2023, multiple domestic companies, including Yingmi Fund and Guangfa Securities, had begun offering services through Alibaba's MCP platform, covering areas such as fund advisory and stock analysis [3][19] - Baidu's integration of MCP into its products allows users to complete transactions directly through intelligent agents, marking a significant step in e-commerce capabilities [13][16] Group 2: Performance Testing - Initial tests of Alibaba's MCP service showed a limited range of services, but subsequent tests revealed a growing number of providers and functionalities [3][19] - The intelligent agent created by the reporter was able to recommend specific funds after integrating with Yingmi Fund's MCP service, showcasing the enhanced capabilities of MCP [5][4] - ByteDance's intelligent agent demonstrated significant improvements in task execution speed and accuracy after integrating MCP, completing complex tasks in a fraction of the time compared to previous methods [9][12] Group 3: Market Trends and Challenges - The integration of MCP services is transforming platforms into application stores for AI, with companies exploring new business models and user engagement strategies [23][24] - The varying number of MCP services across different platforms indicates a competitive landscape, with each company aiming to enhance their offerings [19][20] - Concerns regarding the security of MCP protocols have been raised, highlighting the need for robust measures to protect user data and ensure safe interactions between intelligent agents [29][30]