Wasn't part of the point that the mindset necessary to create Iron Man would inevitably lead to Ultron?
Automation to increase power (productivity) beyond what humans alone could do -> Iron Man -> Cutting out humans once they are the chokepoint/ limiter in power (productivity) -> Ultron
Companies want automation because they don't want human limits on productivity to restrict their profits. That mindset is the problem. If we accept that mindset as a valid business operating model, it will never not lead to wanting to remove humans as much as possible.
Turns out the Luddites were right, and the company-owned factory automation was a scheme to dilute worker pay and value. That we're now fighting not to have workers cut out of the equation entirely kind of proves that it was in fact a slope we've slipped down.