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Beyond Local Tools: Deep Dive into the Model Context Protocol (MCP)
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is redefining how AI systems connect to external data, APIs, and tools, moving beyond local integrations toward secure, scalable, and interoperable ecosystems. This session takes a deep technical dive into advanced MCP architectures, comparing deployment models, gateway designs, and real-world implementation strategies.
Attendees will explore how to build and scale MCP-enabled systems with strong authorization, efficient tool orchestration, and observability baked in. We will break down the architectural trade-offs between embedded MCP servers, distributed gateways, and hybrid deployments, along with the infrastructure considerations needed for production-grade reliability.
By the end of the talk, you will understand how to move from local tool integrations to a unified, network-aware MCP layer that enables safe, governed AI connectivity across teams and environments.
What You Will Learn
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How MCP enables secure, standardized communication between AI models and external systems
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Design patterns for scalable MCP servers and gateways
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Deployment strategies: local, distributed, and hybrid architectures
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Authentication, authorization, and observability practices for production setups
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Infrastructure and DevOps considerations for MCP-based systems
Who Should Attend
Developers, AI engineers, and architects building enterprise-grade, tool-integrated AI systems who want to understand how to design, deploy, and govern large-scale MCP infrastructure.
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About the speaker
James Ward
Principal Developer Advocate, AWS
James Ward is a professional software developer since 1997, with much of that time spent helping developers build software that doesn't suck. A Typed Pure Functional Programming zealot who often compromises on his ideals to just get stuff done. Currently a Developer Advocate for AWS.nerd / software developer who shares what he learns with others though presentations, blogs, demos, and code. After over two decades of professional programming, he is now a self-proclaimed Typed Pure Functional Programming zealot but often compromises on his ideals to just get stuff done. After spending too many sleepless nights in data centers repairing RAID arrays, he now prefers higher-level cloud abstractions with appropriate escape hatches. James is a huge Open Source proponent, hoping to never get burned by lock-in again.
