Worldly applicable AI.

Seriously, I'm sick of making useless games but video games seem to be the only field where AI is applicable and which doesn't need tons of previous immmerision in the field.

I don't/can't make a trading algorithm, nor can I develop and expert system for medical use. I don't have the necessary backgrounds in those areas.

Any suggestions are welcome.

P.S. Since now, I only dabbled with game theory and genetic algorithms but I'm willing to explore other fields.

Pick up a Lego Mindstorms set, or get some ARM SoC dev kits and robotics stuff and build an autonomous flying device which can spy on your neighbors covertly.