The idea that intelligent machines might one day challenge traditional systems like property ownership, social hierarchies, and inequality is not new. It dates back to ancient times, with Aristotle referencing a myth from the Iliad where machines act independently of humans. Later, Karl Marx imagined a future where knowledge becomes a shared resource, potentially disrupting capitalist structures. Today, this idea is resurfacing in discussions around artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in Silicon Valley. In July, Dean Ball, a strategist at OpenAI, suggested that China's push for open-source AI models might lead to a kind of "AI communism," where AI becomes a public good managed by the state. Ball called this vision a "dystopian hellscape," highlighting the deep divide in how different nations view the future of AI. The United States is pursuing a strategy that focuses on controlling AI by restricting access to powerful computing resources, requiring users to rely on American-based software and cloud services. In contrast, China is promoting open-source AI, allowing users to run AI models locally and keep their data private from Chinese providers. This approach aims to position China as a leader in the next wave of technologies built on AI, including brain-machine interfaces, bioengineering, and the "low altitude economy" — an emerging field involving drones for delivery and other services. The outcome of this technological rivalry may shape the course of information technology for decades to come. Large language models (LLMs), the backbone of modern AI, already resemble what Marx described as the "general intellect" — a collective intelligence that can learn from and embody all human knowledge. These models are already outperforming some human workers in specific tasks, and their impact on traditional job roles is growing. Unlike past technological shifts, which often created new jobs as they eliminated old ones, AI's ability to replace both workers and certain roles in the business world raises concerns. If AI can replace a junior lawyer or a web designer, it could also challenge the roles of entrepreneurs and business innovators. This raises questions about the future of capitalism itself, as the traditional links between innovation and profit may be disrupted. Economist Philippe Aghion has warned that AI may not only automate jobs but also undermine the incentives for innovation and profit. If a machine can instantly replicate and improve upon a human invention, the need for patents and proprietary knowledge may diminish. This forces a choice: either slow down AI development to protect existing social structures, or embrace it in a way that reshapes society. The rapid deployment of LLMs has already begun to shift the role of humans in production, moving them from direct operators of machines to supervisors of AI systems. This shift is happening at an unprecedented speed, raising questions about the future of capitalism, which traditionally relies on human labor and innovation. To navigate this future, some suggest rethinking the relationship between work and income, promoting universal basic services and incomes, and supporting cooperative and non-profit business models. AI could also be used to replace market-based allocation of resources with more rational, planned approaches. However, the design of AI itself is deeply influenced by the social and economic values of the societies that create it. American AI systems are often seen as secretive and profit-driven, while Chinese models, though open, aim to support national dominance. Those who envision a more cooperative, green, or socially just future could invest in developing AI that reflects these values. By using existing models to create AI that is free, ethical, and focused on human needs, we may be able to shape a future that is not dictated by the current models of profit and competition.