Which brings us to Weiner's Law and that is how the question is posed.
What is the role of the human in the automated machine? The answer is there is NONE and it is the wrong question IF humans are to be IN THE MACHINE.

The question is what is the role of automation in the manned machine. In the past, it seems that often automation was employed because it could be employed, not that it was necessarily useful or needed.

Boeing for some time taught highest automation level available (VNAV) before the feedback showed the best course of action may best level of automation required (VSI or FLCHG). And even now some, if not many, are confused about what is actually the limits and defaults are...and whether the aircraft is in a pitch mode, thrust or combination of both.

Again.. training, training, training. Play to the strengths, know and respect the weaknesses.