This has generally been my experience too, the results of AI are cool and exciting, but the programming side often ends up dull and boring - accentuated by the

This has generally been my experience too, the results of AI are cool and exciting, but the programming side often ends up dull and boring - accentuated by the "I have no idea why tuning that parameter worked" factor that happens in any complex AI system. Introducing senses and movement - i.e., robotics - makes the boring parts worth it for me though.