Agents & knowledge
Tool use
A model selecting and calling external functions or systems.
Definition
Tool use allows an AI system to search, calculate, retrieve records or perform controlled actions through defined interfaces.
Why it matters
Correct final answers can hide unsafe, unnecessary or unauthorised tool calls, so action traces require separate evaluation.
Related concepts
- AI agent
A system that plans and takes actions using models, tools and state.
- Audit trail
A durable record of inputs, evidence, decisions, actions and versions.
- Entitlements
Rules defining which data and actions a user or system may access.