I mean, there a so many startups getting crazy funding that run without management, or without engineers... or at least with so many less people than before.. except: not really.

Is the whole "it's gonna replace people" even still on the table?

I don't really understand what you mean... are you saying that the entire industry is parroting a fantasy that they all know is fake. So, everyone is faking to get more funds?

Unfortunately, I don't think that's true.