How to Create Your First AI Automation with ChatGPT and Zapier

This guide shows how to create your first automation that uses AI to respond to emails.

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Step 1 — Set Up Accounts

• Create a free Zapier account.
• Make sure you have access to ChatGPT or an OpenAI API key.
• Connect your Gmail account (or another email service).

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Step 2 — Create a New Zap

1. Log in to Zapier and click Create Zap.
2. Choose Trigger App: Gmail.
3. Select trigger: New Email Matching Search (e.g., subject contains “Question”).

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Step 3 — Add ChatGPT Action

1. Choose Action App: OpenAI (ChatGPT).
2. Set up action: Input the email body as the prompt.
3. Example prompt:
   “Summarize this email in 2 sentences and suggest a short, polite reply.”

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Step 4 — Send AI Output Back

1. Add a Gmail step: Send Email.
2. Use ChatGPT’s output as the email draft.
3. Send it automatically or set it to draft for review.

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Step 5 — Test and Activate

• Test with a real email.
• Adjust the prompts until responses fit your style.
• Turn on the Zap to automate.

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Result: You now have a working AI workflow that reads emails, generates summaries, and drafts replies automatically—saving you hours every week.