Blankspace, you ask where this shift of role is leading. Formerly the GB claimed to be The One and Only Channel.
No doubt it was pointed out that if they were God's private communication channel to mankind they would always get things right--and they never did--so they have to adjust the wording.
The essence of this shift is to create wriggle room and attempt to have it both ways. They can't be god's chosen and get their predictions wrong but by the disclaimer that they are not infallible (which it laughably true) they hope to continue their role as god's fallible spokesmen.
To outsiders the JW leadership are irrelevant cranks and religious businessmen but in the minds of the flock whatever wording they use to describe themselves and their perceived function, they make out that they are up there with the angels.
It has only become apparent to me since leaving how they maintain an ethos of what a JW is expected to believe as distinct from what they officially lay down as statements in the Watchtower.
Where is it leading? More of the same pulling of the wool over the eyes of the gullible.