I currently hold a Master’s in Statistics and I know I want to go back and get a PhD, but I’m not quite sure which is the better option. I want to eventually do research with AI/ML type stuff, but I thought a PhD in Statistics would be more “respected” because it’s more theoretical? Also, because Statistics is more general (I think), would it perhaps keep more doors open?

Apologies if my question seems naive, I really don’t know very much so feel free to give your most brutally honest opinions!