A comparison used for protocols that standardize how models connect to external tools and data sources, claiming one connector replaces many bespoke integrations.

Chosen for its reassurance, by people who have not thought the comparison through, since USB-C is the standard most famous for guaranteeing only the shape of the plug.

• Self-Defeating Analogy: Two USB-C cables can differ wildly in power and data, which is exactly the interoperability problem the phrase is promising to solve.
• Connector Not Contract: A shared interface says nothing about whether what comes through it is correct.
• House-Cleaning Reality Check: Like buying a drawer of identical-looking cables, finding that three of them will not charge the laptop, and calling the drawer a universal standard.

Home Improvement (1990s) where Tim Taylor insists the right adapter will make every tool in the garage connect to every other one, and the demonstration ends in sparks.

A comparison claiming one standard connection replaces many custom integrations.

“The protocol is USB-C for AI, connecting any model to any tool.”

“The protocol defines one format for connecting tools, so we write one integration instead of four.”