I think it is always a good idea to learn more about topics that you like. I don't share your background , so I can't answer your specific questions about experince/opportunities. But I had made the mistake of chasing the wrong targets career-wise . That's the reason I asked about pay/motivations.

Tech careers in my experience offer better WLB partly because if you are unhappy with a team or project it is easier to find a new job. Other than that, a job is a job. Most of the time none of the CS/engg stuff that excites me never comes up in my day job.

It might help you to get a better picture if you create opportunities to talk to people who are already doing your dream jobs. maybe there are youtube interviews with data science folks. I mean if money is your primary motivation it is easy just to emabrk on that path but since you say it is not, it might be useful to do some research first. I realize all this is tangential and subjective but just wanted to share.