diff --git a/ai_analyzer.py b/ai_analyzer.py
index 21c0cba..6713575 100644
--- a/ai_analyzer.py
+++ b/ai_analyzer.py
@@ -18,21 +18,29 @@ class AIAnalyzer:
         self.api_key = os.getenv("GROQ_API_KEY")
         self.model = "llama3-8b-8192"
         
-        if not self.api_key:
-            raise ValueError("GROQ_API_KEY is required. Please add it to your .env file")
+        # Check if API key is available
+        if not self.api_key or self.api_key == "your_groq_api_key_here":
+            print("⚠️  GROQ_API_KEY not configured. AI analysis will be disabled.")
+            self.client = None
+            return
         
         try:
             from groq import Groq
             self.client = Groq(api_key=self.api_key)
             print("✅ Groq AI client initialized successfully")
         except Exception as e:
-            raise RuntimeError(f"Failed to initialize Groq client: {e}")
+            print(f"⚠️  Failed to initialize Groq client: {e}")
+            self.client = None
     
     def analyze_thread_context(self, thread_messages: List[Dict[str, Any]]) -> EmailSummary:
         """Analyze email thread context and generate summary"""
         if not thread_messages:
             return EmailSummary("No messages", "low", "none", 0.0, False)
         
+        # If AI client is not available, use basic analysis
+        if not self.client:
+            return self._basic_analysis(thread_messages)
+        
         # Prepare context for analysis
         context = self._prepare_thread_context(thread_messages)
         
@@ -134,6 +142,43 @@ class AIAnalyzer:
         
         return EmailSummary(summary, urgency, action, confidence, needs_response)
     
+    def _basic_analysis(self, thread_messages: List[Dict[str, Any]]) -> EmailSummary:
+        """Basic email analysis when AI is not available"""
+        if not thread_messages:
+            return EmailSummary("No messages", "low", "none", 0.0, False)
+        
+        # Get the latest email
+        latest_email = thread_messages[-1]
+        from_email = latest_email.get('from', '').lower()
+        subject = latest_email.get('subject', '').lower()
+        snippet = latest_email.get('snippet', '').lower()
+        
+        # Basic filtering logic
+        non_actionable_keywords = [
+            'newsletter', 'promotion', 'unsubscribe', 'confirm your email',
+            'password reset', 'no-reply', 'noreply', 'marketing', 'advertisement'
+        ]
+        
+        # Check if email is from own domain
+        if 'projects@manaknightdigital.com' in from_email:
+            return EmailSummary("Own email - no action needed", "low", "none", 0.9, False)
+        
+        # Check for non-actionable keywords
+        text = f"{from_email} {subject} {snippet}".lower()
+        for keyword in non_actionable_keywords:
+            if keyword in text:
+                return EmailSummary(f"Automated email detected ({keyword})", "low", "none", 0.8, False)
+        
+        # Check for actionable indicators
+        actionable_indicators = ['?', 'can you', 'could you', 'please', 'help', 'urgent', 'asap']
+        action_score = sum(1 for indicator in actionable_indicators if indicator in text)
+        
+        if action_score > 0:
+            return EmailSummary("Email requires response", "medium", "Reply needed", 0.7, True)
+        
+        # Default to no action needed
+        return EmailSummary("Standard email - review if needed", "low", "Review manually", 0.5, False)
+    
     def generate_alert_message(self, thread_id: str, summary: EmailSummary, alert_level: int, email_data: Dict[str, Any] = None) -> str:
         """Generate formatted alert message for WhatsApp"""
         alert_levels = {