I think this will occur with free AI based search, since it would be a similar business model to Google (if not more bias/intrusive)
The alternative (which I think in todays age vs when google came out, is more readily accepted by the masses), will most likely be a subscription-based tool that caters to specific niches and avoids product placement.
But to what I think your point is, the further removed one is from the original docs/content/etc, the more likely/able some middleman is to inject their own economic/political incentives, which is of concern. Especially when AI has a political bias, regardless of where it originates.