Keep asking the same question until you get the answer you want to hear. It's common behaviour in all organizations. That faint hope that a more convenient answer is found so we can proceed BAU.

What I don't understand is why all these people that knew better that works d there didn't do more. Very cult like following, where faith in the organization's mission allows for the mental gymnastics described in this article. A few tech and specifically AI companies come to mind and it is disconcerting.