I'm not sure quite how this relates, but I've seen the AI fire missiles and move away from my ships. They will also press their longer range beam advantage if they can. I don't think they move-fire-move but like mentioned previously, an opp. fire (which Richard says could be in the works
) would negate this trick.
The biggest hurddle for the AI in combat is number of movements. I continue to encounter AI battleships, carriers and dreadnaughts with only ion engines. The AI needs to research prop. sooner and to make better use of the additional movement gained in combat.