From the crawlers perspective, sort of. The problem with AI that doesn't use physics to define the landscape, the only way it can measure reality is by measuring the entropy. Measuring the entropy takes precious time, while your opponent (aware of the landmines) gobbles up relative its opponent. If this race is going on as a 'proof of time' inversion to proof of work, then it fits with what I feel about the world.
Discussion
So then Bitcoin becomes a tether for AI to reality?
Not as I see it. I imagine there is some 'satoshi' out there building AI that operates strictly on the 'pinch test', e.g. think Boston Dynamics, that overcomes this attack vector.
The proof of time attack is no longer effective against the AI that depend on the pinch test.
The pinch test becomes the trusted source in AI for the same reason that ethereum is a parasite/good/bad bacteria for bitcoin. Ethereum won't work without proof of work or bitcoin as a tether. AI won't work without bitcoin AND a pinch test as AI becomes more competitive / attacked.
Of course a surrogate to the 'pinch test' could exist out there, and AI has found it. We really don't know.