Let me put it in Accountant speak for you.
1. They are not heartless bastards.
2. The airlines are continuously asked to pay more and more for aircraft by the manufacturer.
3. According to the manufacturer, the price of the aircraft is justified by the sophistication of it automated systems.
Answer the following Airline management question:
"Exactly how does all this expensive computer controlled automation translate into more profits for my shareholders?????????? Because if it doesn't, then I don't want it!!!!!!"
Sadly; the usual answer to that question is that it allows the airline to employ cheaper and less experienced pilots with no loss of safety.
You have already heard Alan Joyce justify engineering retrenchments and their substitution with cheap offshore labor for virtually the same reason.
Peter Abeles onced asked virtually this very question and it triggered young Sunfish to start studying for an MBA to try and understand the answer.