AI Function Calling: Empowering AI with Real-World Tooling

4 min readOct 30, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve rapidly, transforming industries and personal workflows alike. A particularly exciting feature driving the effectiveness of AI is function calling or function tooling, which bridges the gap between AI models and external systems or applications.

By enabling AI to execute specific functions or interact with external data sources, function calling empowers AI systems the ability to do things. This article explores how function calling works, why it’s crucial, how it amplifies the power of AI, and offers real-world examples that demonstrate its immense potential.

What Is AI Function Calling?

In essence, AI function calling enables AI models to do things, e.g. execute predefined functions and interact with external APIs, databases, and smart contracts. Large language models (LLMs) like GPT or other AI agents typically generate predictions in natural language. However, with function calling, these models can directly call specific functions or send requests to other systems to perform practical actions beyond text-based responses.

Function calling works by integrating with external services using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). APIs serve as intermediaries that allow software programs to communicate and exchange data. For instance, instead of just informing a user about what weather forecasts are, an AI model equipped with function-calling capabilities can query a weather service API in real-time, retrieve the latest conditions, and respond with accurate information.

Technically, when an AI model identifies that a particular user query matches the intent for a specific action — such as retrieving real-time weather data or booking an appointment — it triggers a pre-programmed function call. The function then makes the necessary API requests or executes operations in external environments, such as Web3 smart contracts, databases, or chains. This tight integration allows the AI to not only provide information to the user, but also carry out actions.

Why Does Function Calling Make AI More Useful?

Traditionally, language models were limited to providing static text responses based only on their training data. However, real-world use cases often demand more than knowledge generation — users want solutions, actions, and real-time data that reflect the current environment. This is where function calling becomes a game-changer, as it allows AI to:

Access context-aware fresh data: Rather than relying on outdated or pre-trained information, the AI can pull in real-time data from external services such as weather forecasts, stock market prices, or event calendars.
Complete transactions: AI can initiate and complete transactions like placing an order, booking flights, or submitting forms on behalf of users.
Automate Workflows: With function calling, AIs can automate repetitive tasks — for example, logging data into databases, sending reminders, or triggering smart contracts on the blockchain.

By combining advanced natural language understanding with the ability to execute commands and retrieve real-time information, AI becomes much more practical and usable in day-to-day scenarios.

Common Use Cases of AI Function Calling

Function calling can be used by AI to do many things, especially with how connected the world is with APIs that allow us to integrate and interact with computer systems. Some common examples might be:

Retrieve real time weather forecasts and notify you when you need to take an umbrella.
Retrieve live stock or crypto prices and execute trades on your behalf.
Pull the latest headlines from news APIs and notify you when something major is occuring.
Schedule appointments automatically though a booking system.
Trigger smart contracts or submit on-chain blockchain data.

Conclusion

AI function calling transforms AI from a passive tool to an active problem-solver and do’er, automating tasks, retrieving real-time data, and interacting with external systems. Thanks to function calling, AI applications can be more dynamic, personalised, and practical across diverse industries.

About SubQuery

SubQuery Network is innovating web3 infrastructure with tools that empower builders to decentralise the future — without compromise. Our flexible DePIN infrastructure network powers the fastest data indexers, the most scalable RPCs, innovative Data Nodes, and leading open source AI models. We are the roots of the web3 landscape, helping blockchain developers and their cutting-edge applications to flourish. We’re not just a company — we’re a movement driving an inclusive and decentralised web3 era. Let’s shape the future of web3, together.