beating 'difficult AI'

[FrankTrollman]

Clamming probably isn't going to help in that instance. Clamming starts paying off in gems after 15 turns if you have a dedicated hammer (counting the cost of the hammer it takes 18 whole turns of making clams before a profit is realized). It takes 21 turns to make a profit without one.

So if your problem is that you are getting nailed in the early mid-game, long-term economic strategies are meaningless.

-Frank

[Endoperez]

Also, try different game options. Higher level of independents slows the computer players down more tha they do you, and you can use that extra research to finish an enemy faster/to keep the others at bay.