I'm just trying to kick start a conversation that I haven't seen elsewhere.

Skipping past the LLM hype and Skynet jokes, what would it take to optimize savings by automating from the top down?

Most cost-cutting happens bottom-up and this largely works, either by automation or by outsourcing (cheaper labor). It's also makes sense as the decision makers are not likely to cut themselves out (not in their best interest).

Firms are now started experimenting with automating away cognitive-heavy work, so why not start at the top with executive leadership and boards of directors?

Secondary: If the past 3 years have shown us anything, it's that losing local (in-nation), hands-on manufacturing and builder know-how is actually very expensive.

How do we accurately measure the value/cost of this loss?