How can we normalize "no cover letter before first employer interest"?

Now that AIs are prescreening our applications anyway, it seems unnecessary to have to write a cover letter for each application submitted when 80% of them will receive no response. I think the cover letter should be the first step, maybe before a pre-qualifying interview once the employer is baseline interested in your application. this one little change would save job seekers so much time and wasted effort.

Can I get an AMEN?