Automator even has the same "record" functionality for repeating tasks in a UI[1]. The direct Automator actions like "scale image" are cleaner when they exist, but including Automator actions with 3rd party applications didn't catch on as much as it could have.
Some apps have them (Pixelmator comes to mind), but for the most part it doesn't have the support that AppleScript used to. It's a bit sad that we now have easier automation (via IFTT) in a huge pile of webapps than many native programs where it hasn't improved in the last 10-20 years.
The core of AppleScript is a protocol defined as the OSA. This, as Camillo pointed out, is super close to REST and that suggests a possible evolution of the underlying idea as a glue system between "web apps" including desktop apps.
Actually, even an 'evolution' isn't necessary, since AppleScript can directly work with Objective-C frameworks, instantiating objects, calling methods, etc. So this gluing between the desktop world and the networked world already exists.
Some apps have them (Pixelmator comes to mind), but for the most part it doesn't have the support that AppleScript used to. It's a bit sad that we now have easier automation (via IFTT) in a huge pile of webapps than many native programs where it hasn't improved in the last 10-20 years.
[1] http://www.macosxautomation.com/automator/features/virtual-u...