The premise is that there is a need to compete. Alternative ways of life can be engaged in that provide mechanisms for survival. Not that it's easy. Feudalism, and other ways of living were changed not because it was the only way to compete, but because there were people who chose to do things differently by getting out of a purely survival based mindset and thinking within the construct provided by the mainstream current condition.
AI could work, but it's like nukes. Nukes are a horrible invention. They don't have a mind of their own. AI would. It could even used nukes against us inferior carbon based moral life forms.
I am always left with the question of why AI not under the control of human beings (that evolved in a competitive ecosystem) would be competitive with us. Controlled by people with malign intent, sure. But sentient and autonomous? Why would it view us as anything but amazing features of an amazing universe it wants to hang out in?
If it has a conscience capacity for moral inclusion, sure. But if it's just data, then it would seem to conclude in it's superiority over the flailing biological form ;) It depends on what it is actually. Humans have consciousness and we view others as lesser and enslave and murder them and eat them. it can view us as lesser as well.
No doubt, after the advent of AI people can choose to splinter outward, like Amish groups. Even today, if people wanted to they could choose to not use energy from the grid because it's based on nuclear power.
The reasons I mounted a 60 watt solar panel on my truck were more immediately compelling than opposition to nuclear power, although that is amongst them.
Power becomes free to me. I can take my electricity manufacturing plant wherever I go. I can't be cut off from power by the utility, government, or etc... These reasons were more relevant factors in turning my pickup truck into an electrical power generating plant, and better illustrate why the myriad technologies burgeoning today are going to be adopted by a lot of people.
That's awesome! : -)