I understand that you are mainly interested in FAI research, but perhaps you can try out mainstream AI research (or something else; see Tetronian’s comment) for a few months to see if AI research in general suits you? I mention this because I think you are likely able to find work in a nearby academic AI lab if you offer to do so at low or no wages (the standard undergrad rate where I am is $10/hr). Just contact the PI directly. Of course, the opportunity cost may be too large – I’d imagine that you’d have to permanently quit your current job to do this. (But it only costs sending a few emails to find out whether there are nearby AI groups who would take you in.)
I understand that you are mainly interested in FAI research, but perhaps you can try out mainstream AI research (or something else; see Tetronian’s comment) for a few months to see if AI research in general suits you? I mention this because I think you are likely able to find work in a nearby academic AI lab if you offer to do so at low or no wages (the standard undergrad rate where I am is $10/hr). Just contact the PI directly. Of course, the opportunity cost may be too large – I’d imagine that you’d have to permanently quit your current job to do this. (But it only costs sending a few emails to find out whether there are nearby AI groups who would take you in.)
Ugh. My job doesn’t pay that well, but $10/hr would hurt. Maybe if it were a way to build up marketable experience as a computer programmer?