[Parasite]

I don't really want a learning AI (i.e. one that will learn on the fly and get better as it plays more) I just think some form of decision tree would be good. For instance, if there is a stack of 100 DUC 1 sats that can shoot at range one(typical for an AI empire) and you can kill them at range two, don't close to range 1 despite your orders to close. The ship experience could just let more of the tree be used. A novice ship could close and say... "Those are what sats look like!" as they die. A ship with just a little ex could just not go there and continue to bombard the planet from the other side.

I believe a lot of range juggling could be hard coded in. Close to his movement speed plus his weapon range. If he closes, then close with him and get the first best shot. Simple things like that. Especially for single ships of small numbers of ships. In large battles these effects become less powerful.