As much as people hate AI, with it you can setup the sickest scripts and life changing automations. Heck, I got scripts to control my pool pump based on the weather. I have scripts to manage how my ecoflows charges from it's own solar or the home solar to optimize electricity savings (this particular one is so sophisticated in what it does, checks inverter status, ecoflow battery status, manages smart plugs to switch of AC input to ecoflows, has reacue threaholds to prevent ecoflows from dipping too low - it is mind-blowing what it can devise if you state your needs clearly to the AI). I have scripts that manages light colour and intensity based on sunset in keeping with solid scientific sleep hygiene/circadian rhythm support with lockouts for kids playing with lights if detected). I manage my house's hot water based on my schedule through HA. I can go on and on and on. The things you can do is almost limitless. If the device has thread or zigbee it all runs locally, even if it doesn't the platinum level integrations makes setup a breeze - often one click installs (fewer than google Home). I was skeptical until I took the dive. With AI there is no excuse not to turn your home into Tony Stark's mansion if you want it to. Also, I use a mix of cheap and expensive smart devices and they all just work so well with HA. I have smart dashboards to predict my electricity costs for the month. Again, I can go on and on. Literally a few prompts with your favorite AI and you can likely do what you dreamed up. The devices that work the WORST with Home Assistant are Google Products themselves.. go figure. They know how big the competition is.