I agree, rigging as an specialization will be replaced by tools in the next 5-10 years (and riggers will move to development or other disciplines).
We have already seen several algorithms to create armatures based on the mesh shape, there are tools to convert "delta mush" like deformations to simple linear skinning (easing the weighting process significatively) and there are no doubts that sculpting will make their way into rigging. Films/VFX productions present a totally different scenario, but we are going towards simulation anyways so it eventually will be automated too. And all of this is available today! I'm pretty sure we will finally see/be-part of a change on the rigging paradigm. Exciting times ahead :) I agree, rigging as an specialization will be replaced by tools in the next 5-10 years (and riggers will move to development or other discipline). We have already seen several algorithms to create armatures based on the mesh shape, there are tools to convert "delta mush" like deformations to simple linear skinning (easing the weighting process significatively) and there are no doubts that sculpting tools will make their way into rigging. Films/VFX productions present a totally different scenario, but we are going towards simulation anyways so it eventually will be automated too. And all of this is available today! I'm sure we will finally see/be-part-of a change on the rigging paradigm pretty soon. Exciting times ahead :) Cheers!