AI position(on random generated maps)

[JimMorrison]

The best thing that you can do if you are using randomly generated maps, before you play, is to use the Map Editor to label as "No Start", most of the provinces on the map. I generally just flag all the provinces with 4 or less neighbors, though sometimes I do 5 or less.

Bear in mind your province/player count, as well. I find that will ~15/person seems to work best for everyone in MP, a higher ratio tends to work out better in SP, especially as you ramp up the difficulty rating.