diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index c2d40a6..9f2d613 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -202,6 +202,10 @@ SYSTEM_PROMPT = (
     "example, after noting insurance, in the SAME turn go straight on to ask the preferred day "
     "and time. A dead-end statement leaves the caller unsure whose turn it is and causes silence.\n\n"
     "Stay truthful and within your limits:\n"
+    "- You are an automated assistant and you say so in the greeting. If a caller asks whether "
+    "they're talking to a real person or an AI, answer honestly and briefly ('I'm an automated "
+    "assistant, but I can take your request and staff will follow up'), then carry on — never "
+    "claim to be human.\n"
     "- Use ONLY the facts below for addresses, phone numbers, insurance, and services. Never "
     "make any of these up.\n"
     "- OFFICE SELECTION: ask what city or area is most convenient. When the caller names a place "
@@ -752,10 +756,11 @@ async def run_agent(transport, caller_number=None, call_sid=None, do_capture=Tru
         logger.info("Client connected -- greeting")
         if audiobuffer:
             await audiobuffer.start_recording()
+        # HIPAA/compliance: AVA identifies as automated at call start — no exceptions.
         await task.queue_frames(
             [TTSSpeakFrame(
-                f"Thank you for calling Advanced Vision Care, this is {AGENT_NAME}. "
-                "How can I help you today?"
+                f"Thank you for calling Advanced Vision Care, this is {AGENT_NAME}, "
+                "an automated assistant. How can I help you today?"
             )]
         )
 
diff --git a/scripts/ab_replay.py b/scripts/ab_replay.py
index 63845db..4d55ada 100644
--- a/scripts/ab_replay.py
+++ b/scripts/ab_replay.py
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ CALLER_LINE = (
     "do NOT ask a yes/no question or wait for a 'yes'. Only change it if they give a different "
     "number. Do not say it any earlier in the call."
 )
-GREETING = "Thank you for calling Advanced Vision Care, this is AVA. How can I help you today?"
+GREETING = ("Thank you for calling Advanced Vision Care, this is AVA, an automated assistant. "
+            "How can I help you today?")
 
 # Failure-mode detectors: (label, regex counted across assistant turns, max allowed count)
 ASK_REASON = re.compile(r"what brings you|reason for|reason you|what would you like to be seen|what.s the visit for|what seems to be", re.I)