[Gandalf Parker]

Stavis_L beat me to the punch. Yes Map commands rather than Mod commands can do most of it. And the SemiRandom program is a fantastic example of what can be done.

Modding better AIs has been discussed in the past. There are multiple directions. You can change the units that are used as independents. You can add magic sites to the game that are more helpful for AIs than for human players. You can mod OUT the pretenders that AIs use badly, and mod IN some it can use better.

Also you can create completely new nations which are meant specifically for AI play. Design them around the things that the AI does well and remove the temptations it tends to use badly. A nation created for AI does not have to worry about balance. It can be be just to kick @$$.