What is the best Ai Agent building software? (n8n + Relevance AI tutorial)
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Introduction
In this article, we will compare two popular platforms for creating AI agents: Relevance AI and n8n. Our objective is to develop a similar AI agent capable of sending and retrieving emails and to evaluate which software we prefer based on the experience.
Getting Started with the Project
My name is Rory Ridges, and as an AI Enthusiast, I aim to help business owners integrate AI into their operations. In this tutorial, I’ll showcase how to create an email assistant using both Relevance AI and n8n, detailing the steps and tools utilized in each platform.
Building the Email Assistant with Relevance AI
To save time, I've already developed the email assistant using Relevance AI:
- Agent Profile: We start by creating a profile with a name and a description.
- Tools Employed:
- Email Generator Tool: This tool sends emails to the specified recipient based on the user’s input.
- Email Retriever Tool: This tool retrieves an overview of emails sent or received based on user queries.
Email Generator Tool
In the Email Generator Tool, we have two inputs:
- User Email Request: Content of the email.
- Email Recipient: Name of the person to send an email.
The process involves:
- Retrieving data from a knowledge base containing email addresses associated with names.
- Using an LLM step to create a personalized email body that expands on the user’s request and adds a signature.
- Generating a short subject line for the email.
- Sending the email through Gmail.
Testing this tool generated an email to myself asking, "Are you still up for that meeting?" with perfect output in my Gmail inbox.
Email Retriever Tool
This tool facilitates users in querying recent emails by providing:
- Email Summary Request: What the user needs to find in their emails.
The process involves:
- Fetching the latest 100 emails from Gmail.
- Summarizing those emails to find relevant responses using an LLM.
When I queried, "Has OpenAI emailed me recently?" the output displayed the relevant emails successfully.
Building the Email Assistant with n8n
Switching gears to n8n, here’s how I set up my agent:
- Agent Setup: The AI agent activates based on incoming chat messages.
- Linked Tools:
- Google Sheets Tool: Serves the same purpose as the PDF data in Relevance AI.
- Email Sending Tool: For sending emails.
Email Sending Tool
The email sending process in n8n involves:
- Executing a workflow trigger.
- An LLM step that formats the email request and retrieves email addresses from the Google Sheets tool.
Testing the tool with a prompt "Send an email to Rory saying 'Are you still up for the meeting?'" successfully generated the intended email.
Email Retriever Tool
The functionality of the Email Retriever Tool in n8n mirrors that of Relevance AI but includes additional features:
- Configuring an LLM to summarize recent emails based on date inquiries.
- Filtering messages, which can be set for unread or read emails.
I experimented by filtering for unread emails only, which returned emails from various senders as expected.
Conclusion: Comparing Relevance AI and n8n
Both platforms have their strengths. I found that Relevance AI is generally simpler to use due to my familiarity with it, while n8n provides better integration with various software and the option to code custom tools. For complex agents, I might lean towards Relevance AI, and for its flexibility, n8n could be my choice for simpler automation.
If you’re interested in how AI can enhance your business, feel free to book a call with me through my website for further consultation.
Keywords
AI agents, Relevance AI, n8n, email assistant, email generator tool, email retriever tool, email automation, integration.
FAQ
1. What is Relevance AI?
Relevance AI is a software platform designed for building AI agents, allowing users to create solutions for automating tasks such as sending and retrieving emails.
2. What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that facilitates the integration of various applications and services, enabling users to create workflows for different tasks.
3. Which platform is easier to use for building AI agents?
While it depends on individual experience, many users find Relevance AI simpler due to its straightforward setup process compared to n8n, which may require more technical knowledge.
4. Can both platforms retrieve emails?
Yes, both Relevance AI and n8n have tools designed to retrieve and summarize emails from Gmail, but methods and functionalities can vary.
5. Are there integration options available in n8n?
Yes, n8n offers a wide array of integration options with other software applications, allowing more extensive customization and flexibility in workflows.