MCP, APIs & the Agent Integration Layer

MCP, APIs & the Agent Integration Layer during SF a16z TechWeek Hosted by Open Future ForumSponsored by Agentic Fabriq Short description A practical session on how modern AI applications connect to external services and what the emerging integration stack looks like. Full description A modern AI application is more than a model. To deliver useful outcomes, it must connect securely and reliably to APIs, applications, tools, data sources, and real-world actions. Join Open Future Forum during SF a16z TechWeek for a practical, developer-focused session examining the emerging agent integration layer and the roles MCP, APIs, connectors, and gateways play within it. We’ll break down the architecture behind connected AI applications—from tool discovery and routing to authentication, policy enforcement, observability, and production operations. Topics will include: Where MCP fits alongside traditional APIsThe roles of connectors, gateways, and integration hubsConnecting agents to applications, tools, and data sourcesTool discovery, schemas, context, and action executionAuthentication, credentials, permissions, and policy controlsReliability, observability, testing, and auditabilityWhat the emerging agent integration stack may standardize next This session is for AI engineers, platform teams, API builders, technical founders, developer-tool leaders, and anyone building applications that need to connect models to the systems where work happens. Come ready for a practical discussion about the infrastructure turning AI applications into connected, operational software. Suggested button: Request to Join