AI and the number of planets they colonize

[Atraikius]

I think the fastest expansion I have seen is by setting the contruction of warships too high for the AI to support the maintenance. This forces the AI to build colony ships at an increased rate to attempt to provide the resources it requires - causing a snowball effect in which the increased # planets creates requires a larger number of attack ships, which require more resources. etc...

I think Alpha's second example is about the best though.