This may sound a bit off, but I like to switch the AI to manual and check on there progress every 50 turns or so. I may spend hours fixing the AI's inept use of resources, and thus improving the game.
It takes a lot of time, but its well worth it. Believe me, when you finally get back to your player, you will be ready for a long deserved break, and come visit these forums.
Hey look, here I am.
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"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Patric Stewart as Captain Picard
UCP/TCO Ship Yards