Because those are great ways of exploring and working with things like image analysis and item identification - they seem like the only thing that exists from a consumer point of view but the reality is they're off shoots of developing more significant tools and mathematical understanding.

Think of it like Newton, he invented a desktop toy and a window decoration for hippys- his life in terms of products to market is laughablely insignificant, totally reduculous. However by laying the groundwork of modern science in optics and physics he demonstrated methods that could be used to totally revolutionize pretty much every part of life.

Natural language computing is hugely significant, it removes so many class and economic barriers while also benefitting us in the developed world almost as much. We're going to start seeing ai integrated into sites like Amazon soon alowing you to describe the product you want and actually get search results that match, sounds insignificant but it's a hugely difficult problem and could have a big effect on things. 'Answering a A vase suitable for this flower' or 'a power adaptor to work with this device' is a couple of orders more complex than creating a poem about robot ninja.