Automation - GPS, Computerised Flight Planning, Computerised WX downloads- you don’t have to think about the WX and Notam info you might need or want “it” just prints it out, Auto Pilot, FMS, yes and even ATC. All designed to enhance safety and convenience.
The down side is these items give you choices to consider (sometimes information over load) rather than make you think about the choices you might have to look for, a passive processor of information rather than an active information gather – subtle difference.
The modern technical devices available these days can leave some pilots less in control than they should be and more the “thing” will do it for me- have you ever heard of high tech a/c and the pilot saying “what’s it doing now”, believe me it happens!!!!.
As far as Fuel Exhaustion situations occurring in all this, it is one of the things that the pilot, through technological advances, tends to think less and less of. IMHO the technological advancements have tended to reduce the pilot’s perspective of situational awareness.