Part of the problem here is how people use these models and expectations are formed.

If you want autonomous work of such systems you can not expect that: a) each reasoning step will make sense and be correct; b) results will come very quickly - especially in the first stages of the project.

I have very positive experience in non-trivial problems with using AI as an autonomous researcher or engineer. But it worked since an agent had a separated, fully dedicated environment and enough time to build up (emerge) some strong patterns of work. Early days were underperforming and slow progress. Now it is overperforming and frequently surprising me with new stuff.