When I read stories about automation of processes, AI implementation, and development of new technologies, they are invariably illustrated with some kind of robotic presence, wire frame imaging and humanoid but inhuman characters.
What automation is, in the real world, is a medication being prescribed, approved, supplied and delivered.
Simple choices and switches supporting human decisions.
Let’s really understand what we want to automate and stop trying to create fantastic science fiction solutions worthy of Bladerunner, Alien, or Star Trek.
Lost and Desperate 
Great analogy Andrew. It’s like the pharmacy apps people use for monthly meds…they just place the order and the meds get delivered to their house. No longer have to go to the medical centre to get the prescription, then take that to the pharmacy and then go back once the meds are ready. And none of it is done by Robocop!
Just a simple connection of dots in a logical process of events taking place, based on an initial human decision to place the order. Most automation can be done like that, and without the need for AI to be involved.
As you say, it really just needs some thought about what it is you want/need to automate.
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