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Integrating Data Tools and Models with MCP

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Data Science
mcp
AI-agent

  1. Exposing Data Tools and ML Models via MCP
    1. Calling Tools from Agents or Python Clients
      1. Leveraging Semantic Kernel with All Tools
        1. Behind the Scenes
          1. My Thoughts
            1. References

              Modern data science projects often involve juggling multiple tools—databases, models, APIs. Hence all speaking different languages. Model Context Protocol (MCP) simplifies this by changing these tools as structured, callable endpoints. With MCP, AI agents can interact with SQL databases, graph tools like Neo4j, and ML models through a consistent interface, removing the need for custom integration code and making workflows more modular, scalable, and agent-ready.

              Exposing Data Tools and ML Models via MCP

              Below is a comprehensive example using Python fastmcp, Neo4j tools, and a simple ML model via Semantic Kernel:

              from mcp.server.fastmcp import FastMCP import sqlite3 from semantic_kernel import Kernel from semantic_kernel.connectors.mcp import MCPStdioPlugin import asyncio # Create MCP server mcp = FastMCP("DataModelServer") @mcp.tool() def query_data(sql: str) -> str: conn = sqlite3.connect("data.db") rows = conn.execute(sql).fetchall() conn.close() return "\n".join(str(r) for r in rows) # Semantic Kernel for ML model kernel = Kernel() @kernel.function(name="predict_category") def predict_category(text: str) -> str: return "electronics" # Expose kernel as MCP server too sk_server = kernel.as_mcp_server(server_name="model_server")

              Image

              You can also integrate Neo4j and graph tools using Google’s MCP Toolbox:

              from mcp_toolbox import MCPToolbox toolbox = MCPToolbox(database="neo4j://localhost:7687", auth=("user", "pass")) toolbox.expose_cypher("read-neo4j-cypher", read_only=True) toolbox.expose_cypher("write-neo4j-cypher", read_only=False) toolbox.run_on_cloud("localhost", port=9000)

              Neo4j tools include safe read queries (read-neo4j-cypher) and write queries which prompt user approval before execution 1.

              Calling Tools from Agents or Python Clients

              Agents can call tools using an MCP client. Here is an example using Semantic Kernel’s MCPSsePlugin in Python:

              from semantic_kernel import Kernel from semantic_kernel.connectors.mcp import MCPSsePlugin async def main(): async with MCPSsePlugin(name="neo4j", url="http://localhost:9000") as plugin: kernel = Kernel() kernel.add_plugin(plugin) agent = kernel.create_chat_agent(service_id="openai", model_id="gpt-4") response = await agent.invoke_async("Find top movies by revenue") print(response.content) asyncio.run(main())

              This agent will automatically call read-neo4j-cypher from the MCP server using the embedded Cypher query to retrieve data when needed 2.

              Leveraging Semantic Kernel with All Tools

              You can load existing MCP servers into Semantic Kernel agent workflows:

              from semantic_kernel.connectors.mcp import MCPStdioPlugin from semantic_kernel import Kernel from semantic_kernel.agents import ChatCompletionAgent async def main(): async with MCPStdioPlugin(name="data_server", description="SQL and ML tools", command="python data_model_server.py") as plugin: kernel = Kernel() kernel.add_plugin(plugin) agent = ChatCompletionAgent(kernel=kernel, name="DataAgent", instructions="Predict category from text") response = await agent.invoke_async("What category fits 'smart speaker'?") print(response.content) asyncio.run(main())

              The agent will automatically choose and call the predict_category tool when needed 3.

              Behind the Scenes

              MCP uses JSON-RPC 2.0 to communicate. Each tool comes with metadata, including its name, description, and input schema 4. Clients can query list_tools to discover available capabilities. Secure read-only tools (like Cypher or SQL) are scoped with validation and limited access automatically 1.

              Image

              The ScaleMCP framework allows agents to dynamically sync tools during runtime, improving scalability 5. Tools and resources should be published with secure oversight using IAM, logging, and policy controls like MCP Guardian or ETDI to prevent misuse 67.

              My Thoughts

              Exposing both data and ML model tools via a unified MCP server greatly simplifies agent development. Agents can issue calls like query_data or predict_category without additional integration code. This modular architecture supports cleaner workflows, better governance, and faster iteration.

              Start with limited, read-only tools and secure write-capable ones. Monitor agent usage, validate inputs, and ensure credentials are stored securely. When done carefully, MCP offers a powerful foundation for agentic AI workflows that combine data retrieval, inference, and action.

              References

              Footnotes

              1. Neo4j Cypher MCP Tools – GraphAcademy 2

              2. MCP Toolbox: Google and Neo4j Database Integration – Neo4j Blog

              3. Integrating MCP Tools with Semantic Kernel Agents – Microsoft Dev Blog

              4. Model Context Protocol (MCP), Wikipedia

              5. ScaleMCP: Dynamic Tool Synchronization for MCP Agents – arXiv

              6. MCP Guardian: Security Layer for Safeguarding MCP Tools – arXiv

              7. MCP Safety Audit and MCPSafetyScanner – arXiv

              Written by Om-Shree-0709 (@Om-Shree-0709)