That's not direct return of VC-invested cash that people are refusing to see past in here.

Doesn't matter. The Manhattan project was a breakthrough in fundamental science that changed the world. Current generative AI are a solid degree improvement on previous technology that is not remotely as big a leap as the amount of money poured into it assumes it to be.

“people … in here” seeing “past it” or not is irrelevant, the VCs won't see past it once they realize that money is lost.