We built an agent that runs our AI data platform
Encord introduces Merlin, an agentic intelligence layer that integrates via MCP into Claude, Codex, and other platforms, enabling users to manage AI data infrastructure through conversation across the build, observe, and optimize phases of the data lifecycle.
Introducing Merlin: The Agentic Intelligence Layer for Encord
Eric Landau
Co-Founder & CEO at Encord
June 16, 2026|5 min read
Summarize with AI
Software is changing faster than ever. Interfaces are becoming more conversational and intent-driven, and iteration cycles are rapidly getting shorter. The next generation of AI data development needs to keep pace with this evolution. Today, we’re introducing Merlin – the agentic intelligence layer for Encord that works for you, wherever you work.
With Merlin, Encord is the first AI data infrastructure platform to natively embed agentic intelligence capabilities in the tools you already live in. Merlin is launching in beta today via MCP, in Claude, Codex and all other agentic coding platforms – with Slack and more coming soon. Getting the data right has never been more effortless.
Manage your AI data infrastructure in a single conversation
Merlin works across the full data lifecycle:
Build. Go from a prompt or document to a complete labeling setup. Merlin defines your label schema, customizes your labeling interface and sets up review stages around your use case – so you can kick off your project instantly instead of working from a blank slate.
Observe. Understand the state of your data at any moment. Merlin reports the metrics and coverage gaps that matter on demand, so you can get a clear read without waiting on a manual analysis pass.
Optimize. Find and fix the issues holding your model performance back. Merlin points you to them in Encord, where you can fix your data and workflows the moment you spot a problem.
Closing the loop
Anyone building AI systems knows that getting raw data ready for training is rarely straightforward. Every step has required manual effort before a single annotation is made.
Merlin changes that. With this release, we’re giving teams a new way of experiencing Encord through agentic intelligence and conversation, so they can focus on getting the data right.
Early access
Merlin launches in beta, starting with MCP. We're opening early access to a selected group of customers to help us build Merlin and shape what it becomes. This is only the start of our agentic ambitions for Encord. If you'd like to be part of it, please register your interest.
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