Best way to get ahead these days is actually not be in AI ;)
Could you please elaborate why you think this, I'm currently changing paths of my education from AI oriented to Software development oriented
As shagie replied in depth.
TL;DR: There used to be a time when it was a real wild west of pioneering people. It was THE place to be, now, it's mainstream, many, many, many people are part of this. Being at the place where change is, is the exciting part.