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AI automation

Use AI to classify incoming business emails

Sort incoming requests and prepare drafts with human review for uncertain cases.

Understand the process

A shared inbox can contain sales enquiries, support requests and unrelated messages. An AI-assisted workflow can suggest categories and route work to a person. Start with classification and draft preparation rather than giving a model unrestricted authority to send replies or change business records.

The workflow at a glance

  1. 01Email received
  2. 02Extract permitted content
  3. 03Suggest category
  4. 04Validate output
  5. 05Route for review

Illustrative process map. The exact nodes and connections depend on your applications.

How to approach the implementation

1

Define categories with examples

Provide clear categories and representative examples. Include an unknown category so the model does not have to force every message into a business queue.

2

Limit the model’s input and actions

Send only the content required for classification under your data policy. Treat email text and attachments as untrusted input; they must not override your workflow’s rules.

3

Validate the response

Require a structured result and check that the category is allowed. Send invalid, ambiguous or sensitive cases to a person. Do not treat a model’s self-reported confidence as proof of accuracy.

4

Evaluate before expanding

Use a labelled sample of real-world messages with appropriate permission. Review misroutes and draft quality before considering any broader automation.

What to prepare

  • Approved categories and sample messages
  • Model account and data handling decision
  • A review queue and escalation owner

Watch out for

An email can contain instructions designed to manipulate an AI system. Keep classification separate from permissions to execute actions.

How to check whether it is working

Measure category accuracy on reviewed examples, review workload and usage cost.

Technical reference: Official n8n documentation . Confirm the available options against your n8n version and connected services.

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOUR BUSINESS

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MORE CONTEXT FOR YOUR DECISION

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An independent knowledge resource by Esperto Technologies. n8n is a product of n8n. Guides describe implementation patterns; examples are illustrative and must be validated against your tools and requirements.