I think it's really unfortunate that this type of thing gets called "research". I get that it fits with what has unfortunately become modern day usage - "Karen did her own research before becoming a flat-earther" - but I really wish the AI companies would've had better faith in their future solutions than to call this research.
There's gotta be quite a few actual researchers at these companies who are shaking their heads.
To spare others the lookup, here's from the Oxford dictionary. Emphasis on the word "new":
To study a subject in detail, especially in order to discover new information or reach a new understanding.
Example: They are carrying out/conducting/doing some fascinating research into/on the language of dolphins.
There's gotta be quite a few actual researchers at these companies who are shaking their heads.
To spare others the lookup, here's from the Oxford dictionary. Emphasis on the word "new":