Pursuing my second masters(in AI/ML, after first MS in Math). I have one more year before I graduate. Need advice regarding Fall '18 PhD admissions

[S8887]

Background

• My first MS was an integrated BS-MS in Mathematics. My grades there were modest (7.3 on a scale of 10)
• My second MS is in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning. I have significantly improved my grades- the current being 3.8. Will this be able to make up for the modest grades earlier?
• I changed fields, and one of the reasons was that I discovered pure math, the only kind that was offered at my UG institute, was not what excited me a lot.
• I worked for a year in a firm where I did work related to my current area, between my two masters.
• I have one (joint) first-author paper in submission.
• I am in good books of at least 3 faculty members I have done projects with.
• I have a couple more projects presently going on, and should be able to submit them by the time of applications.
• GRE- 163 Verbal, 168 Quant, 4.0 AWA

Questions I have

• What things should I keep in mind to maximize my chances of getting into a PhD program?
• How to gauge what schools are ambitious and what schools are safe?
• What is a good time to get in touch with professors.
• Do I have a disadvantage as compared to students who did their UG in CS?
• (Subjective) How strong would you rate my profile?

Edited May 25, 2017 by S8887