Would smart guns bring armour back to warships?

Could rapid-firing smart guns lead to a return of heavily armoured surface combatants?

Not by themselves, although some future warships may regain solid local armour without approaching battleship protection.

The question starts from lightly armoured modern hulls and increasingly capable medium-calibre gun systems. One weapon family is unlikely to create a new dreadnought because opponents would still have other ways to respond. Future designs may nevertheless add substantial local plating. The useful distinction is between selective protection around vulnerable areas and the much thicker, extensive armour of a battleship.