@Bugg smasher
Yes the whole lot could be automated, but very few people really want that for airliners, there are too many variables and the humans who design systems and code are way too fallible. Yet why would we not want to take advantage of the means to reorient the Human/AP interface paradigm and allow that slight extra functionality?
I may be unwilling to fly in an airliner with no human pilot, but I would be quite happy for the pilot/s to have a better system to manage. Particularly if they were unable to see their instruments due to smoke, but also if automation of the aircraft were sufficient to allow better automation of the airspace, and therefore better utilization and efficiency. Of course there are many projects underway with this aim, better to participate and help steer it in sensible directions, than attempt to impede it I'd say.