unless if the company's output is pure, raw intellectual property, there's still going to be a need for some sort of input material. Investors' capital is always needed to provide the capital for such upfront purchases, not to mention plant and equipment purchases. Not to mention the running of said AI, even in the pure intellectual property case, would require upfront capital.

And if a single bootstrapped "investor" can support such a company, that's an even better world than today isnt it? It means everyone has a chance at breaking out with a successful company/product.