I just got my butt kicked by the AI

[Cyrien]

It isn't that the AI is weak really. It is that the AI is predictable. After you play against it enough times you learn what it is and is not going to do and can easily anticipate it. The TDM modpack and some of the excellent other races out there alleviate this somewhat but it still exists to a certain degree. The AI's do what they do very well. But what they can't do they can't do and a human player can.

I would say that SE4 has one of the strongest AI's around in a game. Especially if you consider the level of complexity that exists within SE4.

As for having the AI beat you... try this one:

Medium Galaxy 100 star max lots of AI high diff no bonus.
Playing as the Terrans

Not my first game but pretty early on there. I was doing great and reached MEE for the very first time. This took me by surprise. As it turns out I wasn't producing enough intel to handle all the other opponents combined. I ended up feeling alot like the Empire in Star Wars. No one could stop me head on but my own people kept rioting and rebelling and ships would switch sides. I had several planets break off and form their own empires. Empires that didn't Last too long I might add. In the end I wound up with lots of fighters all over (they don't turn over to the other side) they were around the stars in orbit of the planets, everywhere. I reached the unit limit... and slowly died as my own fleets tore themselves apart and my production went down as planets rioted and rebelled.

My Last ditch effort was to bring down all the warppoints and end contact with all outside races until I could get enough Intel going. My Last warp point ship went over to the other side when it was one turn away from the Last warp point opening into my space. So close... yet so far.