AI Glossary
What is Function Calling?
Overview
Function calling is a model capability where an AI system returns structured arguments for a developer-defined function or tool. It matters because it lets language models take reliable actions, query APIs, and produce machine-readable outputs instead of only generating prose.
Why it matters
Function calling is a practical bridge between natural-language reasoning and software systems that require structured actions.
Where it appears in AI research
- Agent frameworks
- API orchestration
- Structured output workflows
- Tool-use benchmarks