If I understand you correctly, it already is via the "bots" system. With the new "engine patch", the really critical thing will be to make the rate at which the bots can change engine configurations SLOWER than those achievable by a player working the controls. The problem being, that if bots are more effecient, then few will use - or want to see used - the new chief role, as the bot can do it quicker. This would render all that work - and testing - essentially worthless, just as the advent of "simplified radio" rendered actual enigma use and morse-code unusable, because there's almost never a critical mass of trained radio operators, and captains prefer the faster communication simple radio confers.
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