I agree that there is an upcoming shortage of "experienced" pilots, not pilots in general. Not to start a debate or anything, but would I have trusted myself in the right seat of a 737 at 200hrs? No way. The left seat 4 years later? Hell no. Some of the things I did in GA..... we all know what that is like. Mistakes that shouldn't be made with 200+ plus pax down the back. It is all part of the learning process.
Re automation.... I am not so sure that it is a long way off. In the next 10-20 years? No, but in the next 50? Absolutely. Automated cars will be the catalyst. The technology is still in its infancy and nowhere near ready, but once people are comfortable with the idea and they see tangible results on how it will improve safety, the world will change overnight. If I were thinking of getting into the industry right now, it would be in the back of my mind.