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SI Glossary · Using SI

Tool Use

Published 1 min read
On this page
  1. What tools make possible
  2. Standards
  3. Why it matters

On its own, a language model can only produce text. Tool use, also called function calling, lets it reach outside itself. Developers describe available tools to the model (for example, get_weather(city) or search_flights(from, to, date)). When the model decides a tool would help, it outputs a structured request. The app runs the tool and feeds the result back.

What tools make possible

  • Fresh information: web search, live prices, the latest news
  • Accuracy: a calculator or code interpreter for maths and data analysis
  • Your systems: reading a CRM, querying a database, creating calendar events
  • Actions: sending emails, filing tickets, deploying code

Standards

In late 2024 Anthropic introduced the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard for connecting models to tools and data sources. It was adopted widely across the industry, so one tool integration can work with many models.

Why it matters

Tool use is the foundation of SI agents. It also raises the stakes for safety: a model that can act needs limited permissions, careful handling of untrusted inputs (see prompt injection under prompt), and human approval for consequential steps.

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