Automated links & Google: read the policy before the campaign
Google explicitly lists using automated programs or services to create links to a site among its examples of link spam when links are created to manipulate rankings.
Google's position in plain English
Google defines link spam as creating links to or from a site primarily to manipulate search rankings. Its examples include using automated programs or services to create links to a site, low-quality directory/bookmark links, widely distributed links and optimized forum-comment links.
Affiliate links are a separate issue
Google says paid/sponsored links can be legitimate when appropriately qualified. On Link Launch Lab, commercial Money Robot links use rel="sponsored nofollow".
What this means for automation tools
The existence of automation software is not the same thing as a ranking guarantee or a compliance guarantee. Evaluate the purpose, placement quality and link pattern created by any campaign.