"Do these enhancements in pilot/ ac capability mean that people think they can fly safely when they should otherwise say no and thus put themselves into situations where a crash is a very reasonable possibility. If the industry regularly puts itself into a position where a crash is a reasonable possibility, statistically you will get accidents."
No. The weather I launched in 3 and 4 axis AP SPs and 139s for years is no worse than the weather I launched in non-ap equipped S61s for nearly a decade. Canada East Coast/North Atlantic 4 hour sorties with no APs was a challenge and automation has only improved safety significantly.