Ask HN: AI Research Status

Hello everyone! First of all, I am a complete newbie in this field. I'm just a curious guy who reads AI papers in his bathroom sessions. I want to ask you something that I have been thinking about for quite some time. It seems to me that AI research lately is focused on non-objective areas like art. My question is why? Is it because we are facing a new winter? Perhaps artistic research will open up new ways to improve AI in general? What do you think? Thanks in advance.