It might be asked the other way around - why are there so many different piston gun designs, can't they get it right? After all, 9 million AR's seem to be pretty much good to go without needing a lot of tweaking and changing around.
The AR15/M16 stands out because the American public doesn't know much about firearms, it's history, or even bothers to look at what other countries use. And lots of former piston gun armies have switched to the M16 variants because Colt and others enjoy a 45 year head start on price competition.
DI is just ONE feature of the AR design - and a lot of other companies have slavishly copied other parts, right down to the straight mag well. The AR mag design isn't the best one out there, either. It's just market dominance that keeps it alive.
The ergonomic control layout, two pin takedown, easy bolt removal, stock options, flattop upper, and choice of intermediate caliber have been heavily copied. Most new designs use the barrel extension, too, that is specifically the reason for the light weight. It also allows the use of a polymer lower, and extruded aluminum railed upper in newer designs. The heavy machined receiver with bolt lug lockup and screwed in barrel is basically dead for the future in small arms design. No point to it, a curio and relic.
Of course, the biggest misunderstanding of DI vs. Piston is thinking DI doesn't have one. Look closer, it's in the bolt carrier right there, and actually functions in reverse - the bolt carrier is the cylinder and gets propelled directly back, not thru extra parts. The piston head is the bolt tail itself, with gas rings to prove it.
Just another piston gun, and doesn't really get any more residue than a piston on the barrel. It's just public misconception and ignorance that cloud the view. Understandable, the public aren't firearms designers, just users, like car owners or keyboards punchers posting in threads. No clue.
They specifically are not trained in technical matters, have degrees in mechanical engineering, or even understand how to install a doorknob at home. They don't even fix their own flats - literally remove the tire from the rim, patch, and reassemble. Again, no clue.
Helpless zombies ....