I have played several time at maximum AI level with excessive maps.
Whatever it will be with 5 or 8 Civs ruled by AI, the behavior is always the same:
- AI is building very quickly as many warships as possible, as well as constructor ships
- In turn, it does not build enough colony ship
- While looking at Civs power counter, AI is looking pretty quickly very powerful because of warships but it does not reflect its weaker economic power
After 200/300 turns, I have always at least more than a double of colonies than any other AI, my economy is much stronger, research rate is slightly above AI.
No doubt that I will win sooner or later considering that my economic base will be able to sustain at this point as many warships as possible.
I think AI behavior should be rebalanced in order to focus less on building warships and more colony ships in order for AI to expand quicker.