Politically speaking, with automation it becomes more likely that a democracy will have happened at some point. Whether a telepathic direct democracy as someone else suggested, or a 20th century-style representative democracy, or something more exotic like a governing hivemind (districts elect representatives, all representatives mind-meld for the duration of their term), democracy is likely. Bonus points if the democracy is presented as something absurd or unthinkable to the characters.

If the government isn't democratic and doesn't exercise city-wide mind control, there may be a revolution brewing. Get the PCs caught up in it!