Tool use AI
The ability of AI models to call external tools, APIs and functions to retrieve information, execute actions and interact with external systems.
Detailed explanation
Tool use (also: function calling, tool calling) is a fundamental capability of modern AI agents. It allows an LLM to not only generate text, but also actively call external systems: send an email, update a CRM record, fetch a webpage, query a database, or perform a calculation.
Synonyms
Examples
An AI sales agent uses tool use to search for new prospects via LinkedIn API, send an email via the email API, and log the result via HubSpot API.
When to use this?
Tool use is essential for any AI agent that needs to act in the real world. Without tool use, an LLM is just a language model; with tool use, it becomes an active agent.
Your Company OS approach
Your AI colleagues in Your Company OS use the systems you connect as tools, such as email, calendar, CRM and documents. What they may do with them, you define in advance.
Related terms
Want to know more about Tool use AI?
Want to know how to put Tool use AI to work in your organisation? Get in touch with Your Company OS.