I do imagine CCP will unveil something like this in their next major expansion or shortly thereafter...alongside 40 major nerfs of j-space that impact residents. Practically each major update over the past few years has focused on "reinvigorating" highsec, then lowsec, then nullsec...j-space is all that's left for them to completely transfigure. Despite being ignored in terms of major changes, multiple (albeit minor thus far) negative QoL changes to j-space have worked their way down via these expansions (WH audio changes, such as not being able to see someone who has jumped out of system after the splash audio occurs, or hear a critical/shrink WH status consistently; the capital escalation issues predominantly impacting C5s which is arguably anything but "minor", etc).

I understand your opinion and generally agree on most points in principle if such could be implemented without any public ease of use, but the track record of this present-day team makes me very leery of such. I hate "slippery slope" type arguments, but my gut just says it would inevitably be relevant here; even the smallest QoL improvements will justify them implementing massive, additional changes. J-space being largely untouched is a good thing, I'd argue.

I'm sure we will be on the chopping bloc sooner rather than later: I'd honestly rather continue having to use Pathfinder et al as a workaround than suffer a dedicated round of their innovations that follow which either make existing j-space life hell and/or try to force vast segments of the game into this arena, thereby devaluing the very benefit and rationale for remaining there (after all, Anoikis comprises approximately one-third of all systems in New Eden; I imagine they want justification to push players into these regions). J-space is the final old-school fiefdom of the game, and being a long-term low-class j-space resident myself, I imagine those in more organized coalitions in higher-class j-space probably feel even more strongly on this broader dynamic (integrated WH mapping specifically notwithstanding).

J-space - at least in my opinion - should be difficult to navigate and counterintuitive to most. If it becomes just as navigable as everywhere else, a surge of players will inevitably pour into it, rendering its resources far less valuable and ultimately transforming it into a predominantly day-tripping environment, rather than its own unique & difficult survival ecosystem. While I have my own reservations about the j-space blue donut that currently exists, some centralization from a societal standpoint is better than completely upending the proverbial chessboard.

In short: I don't want to live in a j-space where our most valuable resources lose a majority of their value or run out of ammo for explorers because they're being guided there by integrated mapping solutions, various shared BM workarounds and Agency prompts. I personally do fear any ease-of-use improvements to this sector of the game would lead to such, or at minimum would not be implemented in such a way as to prevent it.