Do what makes you happy.
But try to find it in a corporate setting if possible.
Find a startup at the leading edge that needs you, before they get bought by one of the giant companies.
Perhaps they will support your phd.
Academia is ahead in a lot of things, but high tech is moving faster now.
In the AI race the big companies and larger startups are spending billions to keep ahead.
Find a niche doing what you love in that.
Do what makes you happy. But try to find it in a corporate setting if possible. Find a startup at the leading edge that needs you, before they get bought by one of the giant companies. Perhaps they will support your phd. Academia is ahead in a lot of things, but high tech is moving faster now. In the AI race the big companies and larger startups are spending billions to keep ahead.
Find a niche doing what you love in that.