[dmm]

Besides memory, the AI needs to have at least one turn of forethought. (Even the stupidest chess program has this.) The AI needs to look at known enemy forces (at least forces in the same quadrant) and ask itself, "What would I do next turn, if I were him?" And then it ought to base its moves on that. Also, at present it perhaps is seeking to maximize its score. (At least I hope it is!) In addition, however, it needs to seek to lower enemy scores (e.g., by destroying undefended enemy colonies). At present, it has been observed to leave enemy colonies unmolested if it hasn't claimed the system, even when it is at war with that player. (Maybe the AI ships didn't have supplies or were desperately needed elsewhere. But I doubt it.)