I just had a talk with the project lead about this and it's apparently not working as design against my better judgement so I'm making a report

Did you happen to have a link to the other person who reported it?
Edit: Going through all of the scenarios I could think of, I actually couldn't find any that don't update automatically. I just tested, gaining titles, killing heir, imprisoning people, letting people free, gaining traits, getting married and some other things. The only thing that doesn't update on its own is showing spouse. All other things updated instantly or after about a week.