Agents as Tools vs Handoffs: Understanding the Two Patterns Behind Modern AI Systems

Multi-agent systems are quickly becoming the backbone of modern AI applications, especially in areas like assistants, copilots, and customer systems. Instead of relying on a single general-purpose model, systems are now composed of multiple specialized agents that collaborate to solve tasks. This shift is not just about capability, but about structure. As complexity increases, the way these agents are orchestrated begins to matter than the agents themselves. Among the various orchestration strategies that have emerged, two patterns consistently stand out: agents as tools and handoffs.