Agents & Agentic AI
Function calling
A structured way for a model to request that a specific software function be executed.
Example
An application exposes a typed function that lets the model create a calendar event.
Why it matters
It lets software handle an AI's request without trying to interpret a paragraph of instructions.
You'll hear it
“The assistant requested the function, but the app still needs to approve it.”
Can you control it?
Sometimes
Sometimes. Some products or workflows let you influence function calling, while others keep it fixed or manage it automatically. Check the settings and documentation for the tool you are using.
Common questions
- Does requesting a function mean it has already run?
- No. The surrounding application may need to check and execute the request.
- Can the requested details be wrong?
- Yes. A correctly formatted request can still name the wrong person, date or amount.
- Can an unavailable function be requested?
- A system may invent or misuse a function name, so the application should verify what is actually allowed.