The automated proliferation of computer-generated content by alternate media and companies seeking top SEO rankings on Google, Yahoo, and Bing has created a lot of apprehension in the search community - and for good reason.  Additionally, more and more content production is leveraged from automated syndication of content from other sites, the credibility of which remains unsubstantiated, even on a case by case basis. 

If search quality is in very significant part based on the quality of content picked up by the top engines, and if such quality is lowered consistently due to widespread automation, then the value of search becomes adversely affected. 

Keep in mind that automated tools that support proper SEO practices have considerable merit, and within reason.  But the real issue here is the fact that top search entities like Google are increasingly moving their search algorithms towards deciphering keyword and other syntax patterns in automated content versus those generated by humans. 

A perfect decipher is not needed, but a consistently significant system of discerning or recognizing the human factor or element is necessary to retain the integrity and overall search quality of content indexed by each engine, in the long run. 

This presents a great opportunity in SEO - as the human condition is given more weight in search engine rankings over time, white hat or ethical SEO practices will result in sites that reach and stay at the top for even longer periods of time.  In the end, human factors will prevail.