Is there any way (script/addon/etc) to automate AEL/FE lock with half pressed shutter button every single shot?
99.99% of the time I use central focusing point and this feature can be very helpful to eliminate pressing [∗] every shot.
Try to learn back-button focus: reconfigure your half-shutter to AE lock, use AF-ON with your thumb for AF.
Takes a day to get used off it, but now you basically can keep your camera in AI-Servo, and you will never come back ;)
You want to have your half-shutter to be "AF Start & AE lock on AF success". This indeed can't be achieved on stock FW, not sure if ML can help (is ML able to get "focus" event).