[thejeff]

Obviously the AI will never become perfect. It will never be "do what I want", especially when "do what I want" isn't the same as "do what I told you"
That's not a bug, that's just the nature of AI.

But what started this thread wasn't a complaint of the AI wasn't perfect, it was a specific case of the AI overriding the script, due to what looks like a massive overrating of Arrow Fend. There are similar issues with Astral Shield. These can be fixed as they're found, and may even trace back to the same root cause.

Which reminds me. Should this Arrow Fend issue go to the bug list?

As for the spellbooks, an easier solution would be to just extend the script or have a last action of Cast Specific Spell repeatedly. That's how the spellbooks would be used 90% of the time.
This has been suggested and shot down by the devs many times.

And, AFAIK, experienced MP players script all the mages they send into battle.