If AI companies were "burning cash" that would significantly increase the amount of total circulating money. "Burning cash" in this context means "spending money very quickly," and that is the definition of circulating money. The fact that the AI companies are not burning cash, but instead signing complicated deals passing around promissory notes for future revenues, is what makes it look like a capital strike.

Cash does not disappear because you spend it. Everything you spend is someone else's income.

None of these companies are using cash.

More like hoarding it like fat dragons

Wishful thinking.

There is no cash. The price of a stock is just the price the last guy who bought one paid, and does not represent what the company is worth. I suspect (but am to lazy to find out) there isn't even enough money in circulation to buy all companies at current stock price. AI companies take this to the next level, their companies valuation is already based on nothing, and they promise to buy stuff for large amounts which is taken at face value because the company is worth a lot.

It's basically owning one hundred euros, selling one eurocent for a hundred dollars to someone and suddenly everyone believes you're a millionare, so now you can borrow lots of money since you're good for it being rich and all.