[Captain Kwok]

The AI_General file contains options to basically create an "empire file" for a on the go for a randomly generated AI. The last entries (i.e. Opt 1, Race Charactertistic 1 etc) correspond to 2000, 3000, and 5000 racial pt starts. The other fields in that file select the culture, demeanors, and add race descriptions etc.

The TDM mod contains races that are enhanced in terms of ship design, and research pathways - which makes them more competitive especially when given a bonus.

The AIs in the P&N mod are adapted to use some of the traits in the mod and function somewhat, but are not exactly optimized for it. You can easily add space for extra traits in a race's General AI file, just be sure you don't overspend points. The best way to ensure you don't overspend points, is to design an empire file for that AI - then copy those traits, values, and characteristics into their general ai file.

Aside from the TDM mod, there is one called the AI Campaign mod - it uses AI only tech areas to make them more competitive.

Tweaking the other AI files will help improve AI performance, but that hasn't happened all that much due to the time required to mod and test them.