"Why don't more executives hire really good programmers and analysts to be their assistants?" They do. Usually they have a title like "Chief of Staff" or "Spee

"Why don't more executives hire really good programmers and analysts to be their assistants?" They do. Usually they have a title like "Chief of Staff" or "Speechwriter" or "Associate." My friend occupied just such a role after working in investment banking and private equity. He was paid in the low-mid six figures and ended up doing tons of research, analysis and writing for the CEO of one of the most successful private equity firms. The position was stepping stone to Harvard Business School and nobody stayed in the role for much more than a year or two, so they are constantly rotating in fresh, hungry and smart people. I like the idea of adding automation to the mix, but realistically, if there is a task the CEO wants automated, he/she can tap any engineering manager and pull their team onto that project. The value add would be automation of tasks for the assistant rather than automation that benefits the CEO directly.