Amazon is making headlines yet again, this time with its latest “innovation” for the smart home: a conversational AI feature for Alexa+ that’s set to revolutionize,or maybe just complicate,how we answer the door. The tech giant claims this new tool, dubbed “Greetings,” will change the way we interact with everyone from delivery drivers to nosy neighbors, all thanks to artificial intelligence. But is this really the future we want?

According to Amazon, “Greetings” uses advanced AI to size up whoever’s at your door, analyzing their clothes, what they’re carrying, and even their actions. The system then decides if the visitor is a delivery person, a salesperson, or someone you actually know. Alexa+ will then spit out a pre-programmed response, supposedly making your life easier. But is handing over your front door to a robot really the answer?

Amazon is quick to tout the convenience: if a delivery driver shows up, Alexa+ can tell them exactly where to leave your package, or even invite them to grab a snack you’ve left out. If a signature is needed, the AI will ask when they’ll be back and pass the info along to you. Sounds helpful, but do we really need a virtual butler for our front porch?

And for those pesky salespeople? Alexa+ can be programmed to give them the cold shoulder, saving you the trouble of saying “no” yourself. Amazon says this adds privacy and security, but critics wonder if it’s just another way to avoid human interaction altogether.

Friends and family aren’t left out, either. If someone you know drops by, Alexa+ will greet them and ask them to leave a message. But what happens when the AI gets it wrong? Amazon admits there’s a risk of misidentification,imagine your best friend being mistaken for a delivery driver just because they’re in uniform. Confusing? Absolutely.

This isn’t Amazon’s first foray into controversial tech. The company’s earlier “Familiar Faces” feature let users catalog up to 50 regular visitors, sparking privacy debates. Now, Amazon insists that “Greetings” doesn’t identify individuals, just the context of the visit. But with video descriptions and AI analysis, how much privacy is really left?

Right now, “Greetings” is only available on select Ring doorbells for users with the Ring Premium Plan and video descriptions enabled. It’s rolling out to Alexa+ Early Access customers in the US and Canada, with promises of wider availability soon. But is this just another way to lock users into Amazon’s ecosystem?

Amazon is framing this as the next big leap in home automation, positioning Alexa+ and Ring as the must-have hubs for the connected home. But as the company pushes further into our private lives, questions about accuracy, reliability, and,most importantly,privacy are louder than ever.

For now, Amazon’s talking doorbell is being hailed as a bold step into the future. But as with all things tech, the real question is: are we opening the door to convenience, or just letting Big Tech further into our homes?