[PhilD]

Actually, depending on game settings (map size, percentage of magic sites, indep strength) outwitting them may not be difficult at all. Even if, like me, you're a below average player, you'll be a much better manager of your empire than the AI - you'll be better at site searching, you'll use your gold and gems better, you'll be better able to decide that such and such provinces are worth defending actively, and so on. The AI is very bad at surprising you.

Now, on crowded maps, it may be different, because the AI's initial advantage in resources may show very fast, and an aggressive AI may well ruin your day.