> Disagree. Some learn, not all and decreasing numbers career to learn

This is an organizational issue then—someone who is operating at a junior level who demonstrates that they don’t care to learn should be let go.

We’re saying the same thing

The business threshold (willingness to pay for something) for the worst automation will eventually beat the marginal expert.

So there becomes no business differentiation between a junior and a middle engineer

“Architecture” becomes the entry-level job

But they are so cheap, and they increase the headcount on my pfiefdom chart.

Yes, a combination of empire building and "but $X exceeds the $Y cap set by HR for Z role! / we can hire XX juniors for this price!" type of mega corp thinking.