Seriously they are.
Here's the problem:
What techs should the AI research and in what order? This is a tough thing to do.
Our solution for release is as follows:
Those who participate in the Metaverse have their strategies recorded as well as their scores (if this is a problem, the user doesn't have to participate in the metaverse). Hence, if you select a really smart AI oppoonent, it can query the database to see what technology choices players have made.
In essence, in GalCiv, when you play against a smart AI, you're going to be playing against a simulated human. Only thing missing is getting rushed and the profanity which we may provide as a non-free add-on that randomly sends profane messages to you...