I like the Bobbyverse explanation of AI, these are AMIs, Artificial Machine Intelligences, capable enough within the confines of their task but absolutely not self-aware, and not suitable for any high risk situations. The tools with some limited thinking capabilities, that’s it.

When the characters want to build an actual AI they need outside help in order to create it. As humans just aren’t their technologically yet.

That’s where we are right now we have the AMIs or at least a starting to get them, but We’re nowhere close to a true AGI.