Tech's Impact on Top Sheets: Shrinking/Expanding Buckets?

Hey everyone,

I’m a 2nd AD, currently juggling a few indie projects, and something's been on my mind. With the rapid evolution of AI tools (for scripts, scheduling, even VFX pre-viz), cloud collaboration becoming standard, and access to really high-quality gear getting easier, I'm genuinely curious about how this is shaking up our traditional top sheet budgeting.

Are we seeing some 'buckets' (like certain post-production roles, perhaps even some on-set departments) shrinking in their allocation? And conversely, are others, like data management, cloud services, or specific tech consultants, expanding significantly? I'm trying to wrap my head around how these shifts are being reflected financially.

My personal experience is mostly limited to indie features where every dollar counts, and I'm seeing producers re-evaluating certain line items. But I'm wondering about the broader industry.

What are your thoughts on how these technological changes are directly impacting the allocation of funds within a production top sheet?