Yes, basically you're pumping money into something that isn't immediately producing a salable product, and probably never will, as the only logical course of action is to give that product away, since it's probably useless if not applied universally. (Yes, people will make money implementing it, but they will be getting that IP for free.)

Of course, you're paying people to do these things, and employing people is positive, so it's not as if it's all going to waste, but there is no advancement of wealth.