[anyfactor]

My 2 cents is that don't learn anything now.

Apply to SWE roles in companies that specialize in AI or ML. Tell them you are a veteran SWE and the work they are doing excites you. Find a place where you can keep using your SWE skills while you get paid to learn AI or ML concepts on a practical level.

There is a huge demand for SWEs who specialize in specific industries and are not considered more generalized SWE. So first try to become the SWE with an AI interest then look into AI focused roles.