TOOLS ARE NOT APIS

@mlops.community

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Why it worked

The video uses a clear and concise explanation of a technical concept (tools vs. APIs) with visual aids, making it easily understandable and shareable within the target audience of engineers and AI practitioners.

Summary

The video discusses the distinction between tools and APIs in the context of AI agents. It explains that while APIs define downstream service contracts, tools are service contracts for an agent's intentions, and writing the proper tool definition is key.

Structure

1Introduction: Tools vs. APIs
2Misconception: APIs and MCPs are the same
3Explanation: API as a service contract
4Explanation: Tool as a service contract for agent intentions
5Conclusion: Importance of tool definition

On-screen text

TOOLS ARE NOT APIS Analyzing content... Large Language Model Files Database records MCP You're an AI assistant for Contoso Employee Wiki. MCP Your task is to analyze the user's question User prompt Analyzing... Provide the most important details about Contoso employee policies for time off with personalized data and visualizations MCP Your task is to analyze the user's question We have an agent and we have tools doesn't work a bunch of a tool the inverse of an API While an API is API of what service looks like in my opinion Google Cloud a tool service contract for the agent's intentions it expects to do and being able the proper tool definition is really the key yeah

Original caption

Tools are not APIs #mlopscommunity #AI #mlops

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Transcript

Every engineer is familiar with APIs. And then you throw an MCP, people go, oh, it's the same thing. An API and MCP and success. We have an agent and we have tools. Doesn't work. For a bunch of reasons. A tool is actually the inverse of an API. While an API is a service contract of what downstream service looks like. In my opinion, a tool is a service contract for the agent's intentions. It expects to do and being able to write the proper tool definition is really the key. Yeah.