Cost for an AI automation career

Questions
1

Hi guys im new. Recently i went through some AI automation tutorials on Youtube to get a general idea on how to create workflows via n8n. I actually took notes. Anyways, when it was time to practically implelement the same, i.e make some workflows, i ran into a lot of trouble.
The n8n i ran was self hosted, & i think this lite, free version severely curtailed what i was able to do. But even besides that, for an individual with no IT background (im actually a pilot by profession), it was quite problematic running basic workflows without access to APIs, say from Goggle cloud or Micrososft azure for hotmail etc.
Anyways, theres only so far one can go being self taught from scratch. So my question is, how many paid subscriptions are necessary to enable access to APIs to run automations, are they worth it if theres no guarantee of future income, & can anyone here mentor me, or point me in the direction of a course that helps beginners from scratch, with no prior experience & without pre existing access to paid subscriptions wishing to learn AI automations for an eventual job?

Thanks,
Umair

Describe the problem/error/question

What is the error message (if any)?

Please share your workflow

(Select the nodes on your canvas and use the keyboard shortcuts CMD+C/CTRL+C and CMD+V/CTRL+V to copy and paste the workflow.)

Share the output returned by the last node

Information on your n8n setup

  • n8n version:
  • Database (default: SQLite):
  • n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main):
  • Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app):
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2

Hey @Umair38 !

Welcome to n8n community!

It depends on what you are trying to achieve and what external services you use or would help your goal.

Here s the tradeoff, if you self-host some basic IT knowledge will definitely help!

Or just use the cloud option that n8n offers(check their plans), and you need only the API keys from the services you would use.

I can confirm that I DIDN’T spend any $ money(except if you hit limits), for the following hobby project:

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P.S this is old version, got even more complex and still didn’t pay any $ , and I can say I learn and build in same time.

Cheers!

3

Thanks for the response. I get it, but could you please address the last part of the OP?

For a non technical person starting out, sifting their way through the maze of AI automations, what would be the equivalent of an online degree/tutoring program to gain credentials ? Are there any instructors who teach ? Thats what i really needed some help with.