AI Setup
Enable AI-powered features by connecting your Event Schedule instance to Google Gemini.
Overview
Event Schedule uses Google Gemini to power its AI features. These features are optional - Event Schedule works without them, but they can save significant time when creating and managing events.
AI features are entirely optional. If you don't configure a Gemini API key, Event Schedule will work normally with all non-AI features. AI-related buttons and options will either be hidden or show a message prompting you to configure the API key.
AI Features
Configuring Gemini enables the following features:
AI Import
Paste unstructured text (email, message, flyer text) and AI will automatically extract event details like title, date, time, location, and description to create an event.
Scan Agenda
Upload a photo or screenshot of an event agenda, poster, or flyer. AI reads the image and extracts event information to create multiple events at once.
AI Text on Event Graphics
When generating event graphics for social media sharing, AI creates engaging promotional text tailored to the event.
Automatic Translations
AI-powered translation of event details, schedule names, sub-schedule names, and custom fields into multiple languages.
Get an API Key
Follow these steps to get a Gemini API key from Google:
- Go to Google AI Studio
- Sign in with your Google account
- Click Create API Key
- Select or create a Google Cloud project
- Copy the generated API key
Google Gemini offers a free tier with generous rate limits that is sufficient for most selfhosted instances. Check Google's pricing page for current limits and pricing.
Configuration
Add your API key to the .env file:
GEMINI_API_KEY=your-gemini-api-key-here
After adding the key, clear the config cache:
php artisan config:clear
That's it. AI features will be automatically available throughout the application once the key is configured.
Troubleshooting
"Add GEMINI_API_KEY to the .env file" message
- Verify the key is set in your
.envfile - Run
php artisan config:clearto refresh the configuration
AI requests failing or timing out
- Check that your server can make outbound HTTPS connections to
generativelanguage.googleapis.com - Verify your API key is valid and not expired at Google AI Studio
- Check
storage/logs/laravel.logfor specific error messages
Rate limit errors
- The free tier has rate limits. If you're hitting them, wait a few minutes and try again.
- For high-volume usage, consider upgrading to a paid plan on Google Cloud.