Probably more likely its a generational tasks that will take ... generation. Like how for 100 years we've been 10-20, maybe 30-40 years away from viable fusion energy. Current estimates are the same today as they were in the in the 20's right? 10-20 years left says the people funding it, 30-40 years says the people working on it. Wouldn't you know it, 30-40 years is an entire career... that seems convenient.
I'm 100% for generational tasks Space, fusion, quantum computers, AI, whatever. The public, and people with money, are too short cited to handle real estimations of time. 100 years. 500 years. As long as people keep funding the hard stuff, its all good. I'm not holding my breath though every time some bloke says we're on the cusp of a revolutionary do-dad.