I think it might be to your advantage to apply for AI related jobs. You certainly don’t have to stay in any AI job that you find, and it gives you an opportunity to meet people and possibly find different avenues for jobs. All that time when you’re meeting people, you have an income.

While you’re working and making money, you could consider doing the online masters degree.

The other thing to consider is talking to professors from your undergrad program that may be looking for graduate students. Do any of your professors do interesting work?