This needs to be called for what it is. It's about money & distraction.
Money. While the regulators may be calling for more automation, it'll be the airlines calling for less pilots. The airlines know single pilots ops "will never fly", the regulators and public opinion will see to that. What they do want is less pilots per flight. Instead of augmented crews on long haul flights, the airlines want a 2 pilot crew with both pilots on the deck for take-off & landing - the cruise will be single pilot while the other is in the CRC. There's a potential 33%-50% saving in crew costs on all long haul flights. Job done, back slaps & bonuses all round.
Distraction. While the media will give this oxygen, there'll be push-back from the punters and the airlines will suddenly "listen to the people" and announce they are ditching the single pilot idea and that there will always be 2 pilots in the cockpit, what they won't say is that there will only ever be 2 pilots on the aircraft, irrespective of sector length.