Creating an action in a CustomGPT to send an email using SendGrid

In an era where artificial intelligence is not just a buzzword but a tangible driver of change, the evolution of AI models like GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) has been nothing short of revolutionary. The emergence of custom GPT models marks a significant milestone, offering a leap forward in how AI can be tailored to meet specific needs and functions. This customization heralds a new phase in AI’s journey – one where its assistance becomes more specialized and relevant to individual requirements.

The Rise of Specialized GPT Models

GPT, in its standard form, has demonstrated remarkable versatility in answering queries, generating text, and even coding. However, the real magic begins when this technology is customized. Custom GPT models represent a shift from a one-size-fits-all solution to a more bespoke approach. By fine-tuning these models for specific tasks or industries, they become more than just assistants; they transform into specialized tools capable of understanding and executing tasks with a level of precision and relevance previously unattainable.

Tailoring AI to Individual Needs

The beauty of custom GPTs lies in their adaptability. Whether a financial analyst needs a GPT trained on economic data and trends, a healthcare professional seeking a model versed in medical literature, or a marketer wanting a tool adept at understanding consumer behaviours, custom GPTs can be trained to understand and operate within these unique contexts. This tailored approach makes the AI more intelligent, intuitive, and effective in specific scenarios.

A Giant Leap in AI Assistance

Customizing GPTs is more than just an advancement; it’s a paradigm shift in AI assistance. With custom GPTs, businesses and individuals can harness the power of AI in ways that are directly aligned with their goals and challenges. It moves from generic assistance to targeted expertise, from broad strokes to fine details. This level of customization makes AI not just a tool but a strategic partner capable of driving innovation and efficiency in previously unimaginable ways.

In the following sections, we will explore a practical application of this exciting advancement: integrating SendGrid with a custom GPT action for enhanced email functionality. This example will showcase the technical steps involved in such integration and the broader implications of how custom GPT models can be leveraged for specific, functional needs, transforming AI into a more robust and personalized assistant in the digital age.

Setting Up SendGrid

Step 1: Create a SendGrid Account

The first step is to sign up for a SendGrid account. Visit [SendGrid’s website](https://sendgrid.com/) and follow the registration process.

Step 2: Obtain an API Key

Once your account is set up, you must create an API key. This key will authenticate your requests to SendGrid’s API.

•  Navigate to the API Keys section in your SendGrid dashboard.
•  Click on “Create API Key.”
•  Give your API key a name and select the level of access.
•  Copy the API key and store it securely.

Step 3: Validate a Sender

SendGrid requires you to validate an email address or domain from which you’ll send emails.

•  Go to the Sender Authentication section.
•  Choose between validating a single email address or an entire domain.
•  Follow the instructions provided by SendGrid for verification.

Creating a Custom GPT Action

Now that our SendGrid setup is ready, let’s create a custom GPT action to send emails using the SendGrid Email Service.

Step 1: Create your GPT

Step 2: Pasted this code into the actions 

Step 3: Get your API key from SendGrid, go to authentication, select API Key and Bearer and then paste in your API key.

Step 4: paste this code into the actions area.

{
  "openapi": "3.0.3",
  "info": {
    "title": "SendGrid Email Service",
    "version": "1.0.0"
  },
  "servers": [
    {
      "url": "https://api.sendgrid.com/v3"
    }
  ],
  "paths": {
    "/mail/send": {
      "post": {
        "operationId": "sendEmail",
        "x-openai-isConsequential": true,
        "summary": "Send an email using SendGrid",
        "requestBody": {
          "required": true,
          "content": {
            "application/json": {
              "schema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                  "personalizations": {
                    "type": "array",
                    "items": {
                      "type": "object",
                      "properties": {
                        "to": {
                          "type": "array",
                          "items": {
                            "type": "object",
                            "properties": {
                              "email": {
                                "type": "string"
                              }
                            }
                          }
                        }
                      }
                    }
                  },
                  "from": {
                    "type": "object",
                    "properties": {
                      "email": {
                        "type": "string"
                      }
                    }
                  },
                  "subject": {
                    "type": "string"
                  },
                  "content": {
                    "type": "array",
                    "items": {
                      "type": "object",
                      "properties": {
                        "type": {
                          "type": "string"
                        },
                        "value": {
                          "type": "string"
                        }
                      }
                    }
                  }
                }
              }
            }
          }
        },
        "responses": {
          "202": {
            "description": "Email sent successfully"
          },
          "400": {
            "description": "Bad request"
          },
          "401": {
            "description": "Unauthorized"
          },
          "500": {
            "description": "Internal Server Error"
          }
        },
        "security": [
          {
            "apiKeyAuth": []
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "components": {
    "securitySchemes": {
      "apiKeyAuth": {
        "type": "apiKey",
        "in": "header",
        "name": "Authorization"
      }
    },
    "schemas": {
      "EmptySchema": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {}
      }
    }
  }
}

Make sure you test, but that is all you need to do. 

Important Points to Remember: 

- The `from` email address should be the one you verified with SendGrid. - ADD this to your GPT instructions like this: “When instructed to send an email, you will ALWAYS use {Insert the email you validated in sendgrid}

- Every email must include an email address. E.g. “Send this chat to [email protected]”

Conclusion

Integrating SendGrid with custom GPT actions opens up numerous possibilities for automated email functionalities within your applications. By following the above steps, you can set up this integration seamlessly.