Everything You Need to Build Your First AI Agent - Full Guide

Learn to build AI agents from scratch in this comprehensive tutorial covering fundamental concepts and practical implementation using N8N workflow automation. Master the distinction between agentic and non-agentic workflows while exploring real-world business applications for AI automation. Discover N8N's AI nodes and understand what AI agents are, including their business value and use cases. Build your first functional business agent by architecting agent flows, setting up AI models, and implementing memory systems. Explore tools and functions while configuring Google credentials and calendar integrations. Develop advanced prompting skills using the CRITICS framework and learn effective prompt engineering techniques. Test your calendar agent implementation while understanding common roadblocks and troubleshooting strategies. Gain insights from over 100 client workflows and 8 months of professional AI agent development experience, covering everything needed to shortcut your journey into AI automation and workflow building.

Syllabus

0:00:00 - Course Overview
0:03:21 - SECTION 1 - AI Agent Fundamentals
0:05:02 - 1.1. Agentic vs Non-Agentic Workflows
0:07:44 - 1.2. Agentic Examples You Might Use
0:13:21 - 1.3. N8N AI Nodes
0:21:00 - 1.4. AI Agents - So What Are They?
0:28:47 - 1.5. AI Agents - What Business Use Do They Have?
0:33:10 - SECTION 2 - Build your first useful Busines Agent
0:36:50 - 2.1. Architecting your agent flow
0:42:32 - 2.2. Set up the model
0:48:39 - 2.3. Build a memory
0:53:42 - 2.4. What are Tools & Functions?
0:57:06 - 2.5. Set up your Google Credentials
1:01:51 - 2.6. Set up your first Tool
1:11:45 - 2.7. Calendar Tools
1:19:18 - 2.8. Prompting masterclass - CRITICS
1:24:11 - 2.9. Prompt review
1:35:11 - 2.10. Testing out your Calendar agent
1:38:30 - 2.11. Why hitting roadblocks is normal
1:42:41 - 2.12. Your AI Agent roundup, what’s next?