Android phones need a built-in shortcut and automation app. Which can help in building custom flows with apps and with hardware controls. Along with screen control. External apps have very limited options. And this is must for AI era.
Welcome to Android Central! Various manufacturers have their own kinds of automation. Pixel and Galaxy phones have Routines (https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/14852488?hl=en, https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002538/). There are also a few very well-established 3rd party automation apps, like MacroDroid and IFTTT. I don't use them, but from what I've heard from everyone else who does use them is that they are quite powerful, and are not very limited. What kinds of things are you trying to automate?