There was a TV programme about airline pilots I recall, it must have been 20-25 years ago and the conclusion even then was that pilots would eventually be condemned to sit on the flightdeck doing nothing just watching the automation. Automation is to my mind, in the main, a good thing and certainly prevented many more prangs than its caused but it needs to be used properly & "appropriately" The apathy lies with what can be deemed as proper & "appropriate".
I also remember that old gag about replacing the co-pilot with a dog which was trained to bite the Captain if he/she touched anything.....