Is tool calling the same as function calling?

Yes. "Function calling" (OpenAI), "tool use" (Anthropic), and "tool calling" (industry-wide) all describe the same capability.

Does the AI model run the tool itself?

No. The model returns a structured request naming the tool and arguments. Your application executes it and returns the result.

How is tool calling different from MCP?

Tool calling is the model deciding to call a tool. MCP is a standard for exposing tools so any model can call them without per-provider wiring.

ModelRefs / What Is Tool Calling? How AI Models Use External Tools

What Is Tool Calling? How AI Models Use External Tools

Tool calling lets an AI model decide which external function to run and with what arguments, while your code executes it. Here's how it works, with examples.

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What Is Tool Calling? How AI Models Use External Tools: This learning reference introduces the concept, explains how it connects to AI implementation decisions, and points to deeper profiles, workflows, benchmarks, and guides.

What Is Tool Calling? How AI Models Use External Tools: Focus on the boundary of the concept as well as its benefits. Understanding what a method cannot establish matters when interpreting model claims, benchmark results, provider features, or workflow designs.

What Is Tool Calling? How AI Models Use External Tools: Continue into the related references and apply the concept to a concrete decision with explicit constraints, evidence requirements, risks, and evaluation criteria.

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