In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up an AI voice assistant using N8N and Retell.ai that can effectively communicate on your behalf, including making calls and delivering messages. With this blueprint, you can automate tasks are both highly efficient and scalable.
What is N8N?
N8N is an open-source workflow automation tool that allows you to connect various apps and services without writing extensive code. In this project, we will utilize N8N to create a voice assistant that can call your contacts and relay messages—all triggered via Telegram.
Key Components of the Voice AI Assistant
- Telegram Integration 📲
- Voice Recognition and Transcription 🎙️
- N8N Workflows 🛠️
- Data Management with an Excel Spreadsheet 📊
- Retell.ai for Voice Calling 📞
1. Setting Up Telegram for Voice Commands
Start by creating a Telegram account and setting up a bot through BotFather. This bot will receive voice or text commands.
Steps:
- Search for “BotFather” in Telegram and create a new bot.
- Provide a name and username with ‘bot’ included.
- Save your bot token for later use.
This setup allows us to receive inputs directly in N8N when users send messages or voice recordings.
2. Voice Recognition and Transcription
Using OpenAI’s audio transcriber, you can convert voice messages into readable text.
Steps:
- Store the API key for OpenAI and integrate it into your N8N workflow.
- Use the transcriber module to convert voice messages from Telegram into text.
This enables your assistant to understand commands clearly and act on them.
3. Creating N8N Workflows
N8N uses workflows which are series of automated steps connected through various integrations. To manage the AI assistant’s behavior, you will set up a workflow that:
- Listens for Telegram commands.
- Processes the voice/text input.
- Checks your contacts database.
- Executes the outgoing call via Retell.ai.
Implementation Notes:
- Routing Logic: Set conditions to distinguish between text and voice commands using a decision node.
- Error Handling: Implement logic to ask for missing details if both first and last names are not provided.
4. Managing Data with Excel
An Excel sheet can serve as a contact database for your assistant. It should have columns for names, phone numbers, and any other relevant details.
Steps:
- Create a spreadsheet with headers: Name, Phone Number, Email.
- Input sample data for testing your assistant’s calling capabilities.
The assistant will reference this data when determining who to call.
5. Using Retell.ai for Outgoing Calls
Finally, for making calls, you need a Retell.ai account where you will create an entity (AI agent) responsible for calling and delivering messages.
Steps:
- Register for a Retell.ai account and acquire a phone number.
- Set up an API call from N8N to utilize this number for placing calls.
- When a call is triggered, the assistant will announce itself and relay any message you predefined based on the input it received.
How It All Works Together
As commands come in through Telegram:
- The bot processes either text or voice input.
- The input is transcribed (if voice) and the assistant checks against your contacts database.
- It determines the phone number and message to communicate, then triggers the calling tool.
- Using the Retell.ai API, it places a call to the specified contact, delivering the message as an AI voice automated through the system.
Key Features You’ll Gain
- Bookings and Messages: Your assistant will be able to handle bookings and deliver messages, acting as your reliable personal assistant.
- Memory Retention: With key configurations, the assistant can ‘remember’ previous interactions, leading to more informed responses in future communications.
Quick Tips for Building and Testing
- Bot Testing: Use your Telegram bot in testing to ensure it captures commands accurately.
- Iterative Development: Test in stages to make sure each component works before integrating everything.
- Monitor Logs: Always check the execution logs on N8N to debug any issues that arise.
Resource Toolbox 🧰
Here are some resources to get you started:
- N8N Documentation: N8N Official Docs
- Telegram Bot API: Telegram Bot API
- OpenAI API: OpenAI API Documentation
- Retail AI: Retell.ai
- HighLevel: HighLevel Sign-Up
- Excel Online: Excel Online
Final Thoughts
By following this automation blueprint, you’ll position yourself to create a highly functional AI personal assistant capable of managing communications seamlessly. As technology progresses, refining your workflows ensures your assistant remains effective in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Engage with your community for support and updates, and continually evolve your AI systems to meet your specific needs.
