It all depends on who is rewarded for the automation. Salaried employees who automate are generally recognized for the productivity that automation provides. Low level data entry people are not rewarded.
Your story reminds me of my son who graduated with a liberal arts degree right after the financial crash. He completely automated his first job (using excel and VBA) and was not rewarded. Long story short, he went back and got a masters in EECS and works where productivity is recognized.
Good for your son. Sadly check-box HR ticks are too often required for being recognised, that's something I have to fight against where operations staff are 3x underpaid compered to developers yet arguably far more agile.
Your story reminds me of my son who graduated with a liberal arts degree right after the financial crash. He completely automated his first job (using excel and VBA) and was not rewarded. Long story short, he went back and got a masters in EECS and works where productivity is recognized.