AI Agents with n8n

Want to automate tasks in your homelab or explore what AI agents can do? n8n is a free, open-source automation tool that runs perfectly on a Raspberry Pi 5. With it, you can build smart workflows that connect APIs, trigger actions, and even control AI agents like ChatGPT.

What You Can Do with n8n

  • Trigger AI responses with webhooks
  • Connect apps like Gmail, Telegram, or Google Sheets
  • Automate reports, alerts, backups, and file processing
  • Build AI workflows that take action on your data

No coding is required, but you can use JavaScript and expressions if you want more control.


Install n8n on Raspberry Pi 5 (with Docker)

1. Install Docker

sudo curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh 
sudo sh get-docker.sh
sudo reboot

2. Add User to Docker Group

sudo groupadd docker && sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
sudo reboot

3. (Optional) Install Portainer for GUI Management

docker run -d -p 9000:9000 --name=portainer --restart=always --pull=always \
  -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
  -v /data/portainer_data:/data \
  portainer/portainer-ee:latest

4. Prepare Data Folders

sudo mkdir -p /data/n8n_data /data/compose/n8n
sudo chmod -R 777 /data

5. Create docker-compose.yml

Save this in /data/compose/n8n/docker-compose.yml:

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n:latest
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - TZ=Europe/Copenhagen
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=xxxxxxxxxxxx
      - N8N_HOST=10.168.0.277
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false
    volumes:
      - /data/n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n

⚠️ Replace the IP address with your Raspberry Pi’s actual IP.

6. Launch n8n

cd /data/compose/n8n
docker compose up -d

Now open your browser:

http://10.168.0.277:5678


n8n + AI agents = powerful automation. Run it in your homelab and take full control of your workflows.




Simplifying Complex Deployments: The GPT Docker Swarm on Raspberry Pi

Link to my “Docker Swarm” GPT on OpenAI ChatGPT.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, combining the power of AI with the flexibility of Docker Swarm on a Raspberry Pi infrastructure presents an innovative approach to scalable and efficient computing solutions. This integration, known as the GPT Docker Swarm, showcases a unique blend of artificial intelligence capabilities with robust, decentralized computing power, tailored specifically for environments demanding both intelligence and adaptability.

The Hardware Foundation

At the core of the GPT Docker Swarm is a quartet of Raspberry Pi 4B units, each boasting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of local storage via m.2 over USB3. This hardware setup is meticulously organized into three master nodes (RPT1, RPT2, RPT3) and one node (RPT4), ensuring redundancy and efficient load distribution among the units. The choice of Raspberry Pi 4B underscores the project’s commitment to combining cost-effectiveness with powerful computing capabilities.

Software and Configuration

Running Raspbian Bookworm lite 64bit (Debian 12) ARM64, the setup is optimized for headless access with SSH, underpinning the system’s focus on security and remote manageability. Key software components include Docker-compose for container orchestration, NFS server for centralized data storage, and Autofs for efficient storage mounting across the nodes. Additionally, Neofetch provides real-time system information, including CPU temperature, ensuring the system’s health is always monitored.

Unattended updates ensure the system remains secure and up-to-date without manual intervention. Special configurations for power management and memory sharing highlight the project’s attention to detail in optimizing performance and reliability.

Swarm Configuration and Power Management

The GPT Docker Swarm configuration includes innovative solutions for power management, allowing for centralized control over the power states of all nodes. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where power efficiency and quick system restarts are crucial.

Application Deployment and Management

Leveraging Portainer, the GPT Docker Swarm simplifies the deployment and management of services. This approach not only facilitates the use of ARM64-compatible Docker images but also emphasizes persistent data storage by binding service-specific data to the “/data” directory on the master node. This method ensures data persistence and simplifies the management of services like Nginx, demonstrating the system’s adaptability to various application needs.

Conclusion

The GPT Docker Swarm represents a forward-thinking solution that marries the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of Raspberry Pi hardware with the sophistication of Docker container orchestration. This setup is a testament to the versatility and power of combining open-source technologies to create a resilient, scalable, and efficient computing environment suitable for a wide range of applications, from home labs to educational environments and beyond.




Escaping the Echo Chamber: Embracing Diverse Perspectives in the Digital Age

Introduction: In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, it’s easy to find ourselves trapped in an echo chamber, surrounded by voices and ideas that mirror our own. This phenomenon, largely a product of personalized online environments, can limit our exposure to diverse perspectives and hinder our understanding of the world. In this post, we’ll explore practical strategies to break free from these digital bubbles and embrace a broader worldview.

Understanding the Echo Chamber: An echo chamber is a situation where our beliefs and ideas are amplified and reinforced by communication and repetition inside a closed system, often exacerbating cultural or ideological divides. Online, this is largely facilitated by algorithms that curate content based on our past behavior, showing us what we like, not necessarily what we need to see.

Strategies to Break Free:

  1. Diversify Your Information Diet: Actively seek out news sources, blogs, and opinions from across the spectrum. Whether it’s international news, alternative media, or voices from different cultural backgrounds, variety is key to a balanced view.
  2. Go Incognito for Unbiased Searches: Use incognito mode for unbiased search results. This prevents your search history from coloring the information you receive.
  3. Rethink Social Media Habits: Follow people and groups from different walks of life and with varying viewpoints. Be mindful of the echo chamber effect in ‘likes’ and ‘shares.’
  4. Cultivate Critical Thinking: Approach every piece of information with a critical mind. Evaluate the source, check for bias, and seek evidence.
  5. Step Outside the Digital Realm: Engage in real-life communities and discussions. Face-to-face interactions can offer insights that digital platforms often miss.
  6. Explore Different Search Engines: Different search engines can yield different results. Experiment with them to get a wider range of information.
  7. Educate Yourself on Algorithms: Understanding how digital algorithms work can help you make more informed choices about your online behavior.
  8. Embrace Contrarian Views: Deliberately expose yourself to opinions that challenge your beliefs. It’s about understanding, not necessarily agreeing.
  9. Personal Reflection: Regularly assess your online habits. Are they broadening your horizons or narrowing them?

Conclusion: Breaking out of the online echo chamber is essential for a well-rounded understanding of our world. It requires conscious effort and a willingness to explore and engage with diverse perspectives. By diversifying our digital diet, we not only enrich our own understanding but also contribute to a more nuanced, inclusive digital discourse.

Call to Action: Start today. Choose one of the strategies above and take a small step towards a wider, more diverse online world. Share your experiences and encourage others to join in. Together, we can build a more connected and understanding digital community.




The Dawn of AI in Our Daily Lives

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has transitioned from a futuristic concept to an integral part of our daily lives. This transformative technology has been rapidly evolving, shaping industries and personal experiences alike. Among the notable developments are ChatGPT, GPT-4, and various other AI platforms that are redefining our interactions with technology.

ChatGPT and GPT-4: Revolutionizing Conversations
Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT and its advanced version, GPT-4, are at the forefront of AI communication. They excel in understanding and generating human-like text, making them invaluable tools for a variety of applications, from customer service to education. These models are not just text generators; they are capable of comprehending context, providing informed responses, and even assisting with creative tasks.

Chat4All: AI on Your Desktop
Chat4All offers a unique proposition as an offline AI model that can be installed directly on your computer. This approach brings the power of AI directly to users’ fingertips without the need for constant internet connectivity, ensuring privacy and accessibility in environments where online services might not be available.

Using AI in Python: A Programmer’s Ally
The integration of AI in Python programming has opened new horizons for developers. Libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch have made it easier to implement complex AI models, significantly reducing the time and effort required for development. This integration is particularly beneficial in data analysis, predictive modeling, and automation.

Grok: The Emerging AI from X (Twitter)
Grok is an emerging AI platform developed by X, known for its association with Twitter. It represents a significant step forward in the AI landscape, offering new possibilities and innovations in the field of machine learning and AI technology.

Bing: Enhanced AI-Powered Search
Microsoft’s Bing search engine has incorporated AI to revolutionize the way we search for information online. With AI integration, Bing offers more than just search results; it provides intelligent, contextual responses, making the search experience more intuitive and user-friendly.

Hugging Face: The Friendly Side of AI
Hugging Face has made significant strides in making AI more user-friendly and accessible. Known for its natural language processing capabilities, it provides an easy-to-use platform for developers to experiment with and deploy AI models, facilitating innovation and experimentation.

In conclusion, the advent of AI in our daily lives is a testament to human ingenuity and the endless possibilities of technology. As we continue to explore and integrate AI, it’s essential to navigate this new era responsibly, ensuring that the benefits of AI are enjoyed by all sections of society.