WebMCP started as a solution to auth for agents at Amazon (www.arcade.dev)

WebMCP, a new web standard incubated by the W3C, presents an innovative way for AI agents, such as ChatGPT, to interact with websites more efficiently. Unlike traditional methods where AI agents either visually analyze screens or parse XML for data extraction, WebMCP allows developers to expose structured JavaScript functions through clear schemas. This functionality minimizes the inefficiencies and inaccuracies associated with previous methods by enabling agents to directly invoke specific tools or actions without synthesizing clicks or interpreting the DOM. Significantly, WebMCP aims to address critical security issues by narrowing the scope of information accessible to AI agents. By limiting interactions to only the explicitly defined functions provided by a website, WebMCP mitigates the risks associated with agents accessing sensitive information across multiple tabs. Currently in experimental phases in Chrome, the formalization of WebMCP is expected by mid-2026. For web developers, this offers a proactive enhancement opportunity, allowing them to control how agents utilize their sites, potentially transforming even basic websites into platforms capable of engaging AI agents effectively.