These are two disparate applications of spiking networks. 1. Machine learning—yes, many in the field seem to be trying to reinvent ANNs with spikes. Not very useful in my opinion. 2. Modeling biological processes. A lot of progress has been made in neuroscience research thanks to spiking network models, coupled with dendritic computation and all other sorts of biological detail. But one would not normally use neuromorphic hardware if the end goal is biological realism.

Only if biological realism is required in real time and on a constrained power budget, such as on a robot, is Neuromorphic hardware the weapon of choice.