One idea that might eliminate the need for bots would be to make access to certain NMs contingent on who beats a certain prereq encounter fastest. Now, this idea has hardly been fleshed out, so bear with me. Imagine an NM protected on various sides by a high level mob or mobs. So let's say there are 8 access points to the HNM, each guarded by the same mob(s). There would be one group per access point. Whoever kills fastest, gets access to the HNM. Ideally, this would require 18 player alliances so as to prevent Linkshells from attempting to send groups to as many access points as their membership will permit.

Like I said, this idea has not been fleshed out or totally thought through, so you won't have achieved anything if you are able to shoot holes in it. It's just a thought and may lead to some discussion.