AI’s foundational role in knowledge work means monopolies can’t be broken like social media or browsers. Alternatives to centralized AI systems must be built now. During November 2025, OpenAI executives floated the idea of a government partnership that sounded remarkably similar to a bailout. They walked it back after significant blowback. The trial balloon marked what everyone already knew but didn't want to say out loud: AI's biggest companies are already "too big to fail."