The single most important thing all the AIs are lacking is the ability to learn, but to be honest I don't think anybody in the world has developed a learning AI program yet. In my game I'm already no.1 by a hugh margin only 15 or so turns into the game, and I have close to 30 ships compared to 4 for the no.2. The reason? My two AI neighbours kept delivering their new cruisers straight to my refitting yards turn after turn!
They should know better than to charge head first into my waiting subverters!
CW