What is the difference between facial recognition "technology" and having a group of people with good memories and access to photos / videos of past events? J

What is the difference between facial recognition "technology" and having a group of people with good memories and access to photos / videos of past events? Just the scale of it? How far back they can remember? The fact that they can't sit on every street corner? Is it just a practical argument? And for example, does this prevent a hotel from implementing facial recognition so that they could greet a guest by name when they walk up to your check-in counter?