A “digital rental” won’t replace a skilled employee, but it can help automate many of the time-consuming tasks that take up their day.
Until recently, AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini answered questions, conducted searches, and made suggestions – offering advice, but not actually taking action. Now, thanks to AI agents like OpenClaw and Hermes, AI can interact with other platforms, allowing it to do things like write and send emails, update your schedule, or schedule social media posts.
In this guide, we explore everything you need to get started with a “digital employee”.
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I’ve launched 4 successful businesses over the last 10 years, all while working full time. During this time, I’ve always been looking for smart ways to save time and money while still getting more done. AI has completely changed the way I manage my current side hustle.
To start
There are a few things you’ll need before you can get started with your new “digital employee.”
First, you will need to choose an AI assistant. There are a few available; OpenClaw is the most popular, closely followed by Hermes. To run your AI agents securely, you will probably want to host them on a virtual private server (VPS). Once it is configured, you can then communicate with it via a platform of your choice, such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Slack.
The VPS is the “computer” that does the heavy lifting, and you can communicate with your AI agent through an app on your phone. So you don’t really need a powerful computer to run your agents. However, investing in a decent laptop will make it easier to manage workflows, as well as the rest of your business, on the go.
Making AI work for you
Exactly what your agent will do for you will depend on the nature of your business and your own skill set. Here are some platforms you may want to explore matching your agent with, depending on what you want to achieve:
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AI agent role |
Platform |
|---|---|
|
Seamlessly manage the tour schedule on your behalf |
Calendar |
|
Manage invoices and accounting |
Fresh books |
|
Manage customer relationships and organize leads |
HubSpot |
|
Support your marketing efforts |
Hoot Suite |
|
Organization of contracts and signatures |
Sign now |
A note on safety
Giving AI agents access to sensitive business information, such as financial data, customer data, and emails, carries risks. Using a dedicated VPS goes some way to protecting yourself.
However, it is important that you take the time to fully understand the risks associated with using AI agents and the steps you can take to mitigate them.