Language models generate text. Tool-using AI takes action. This distinction determines whether AI is a writing assistant or a functional system that accomplishes real work.

Types of Tools

Common tools include web search (finding current information), code execution (running calculations or scripts), API calls (interacting with other software), database queries (retrieving structured data), and file operations (reading, writing, manipulating documents).

How Tool Use Works

AI models with tool use capabilities can recognize when a tool would help, formulate the correct request, execute the tool, interpret results, and incorporate findings into their response or next action. This creates a loop between reasoning and action.

Tool Use in Marketing AI

Marketing AI uses tools to fetch real-time data, access your CMS, query analytics, generate images, update content, and publish changes. Tool use transforms AI from advisor to operator, capable of executing tasks rather than just suggesting them.