Certain aspects of query tuning, especially around simple index creation and recognizing a superior execution plan, are mechanical in nature. A simple evaluation (this makes things faster, or it doesn’t) is all that’s needed in some situations. With this in mind, Microsoft has automated some aspects of index creation in Azure SQL Database. Also, certain plan choices can be automated within SQL Server and Azure SQL Database. While these mechanisms will absolutely help, especially in the situation where you manage thousands, or more, of databases, you’ll still have to develop query tuning skills as well.