One of the beautiful things about GC III is that the AI is always an ongoing work. Most of the people that are complaining about the AI being 'too easy' are power gamers and are obviously beating the AI using all the tricks the game allows you. Tricks like building a super custom race that rushes Tech and is immune to the LEP. Combine that with a map that has many planets and relics of course you are going to beat it (the ai). 

However, 

Stardock looks at all that. They can and will eventually get the AI to play 'Just like you'. Provided you do not have the AI play with impaired Civs, you can bet that in the near future we will have Ai that focuses research buildings on ghost worlds, builds Manufacturing centers on Capitals or nearby. Ai that groups several planets to focus production on shipyards. In addition to an ai that will see your ship designs and not only build a ship to counter it but one that is faster and more heavily armed against you.  

Some of the things I do early on is to get one research focused planet, One money focused planet and then try and rush Tourism so I can sustain several ships early game. You can bet the AI will be doing this, all it needs is time for Stardock to see what we do....

Just a thought. 

I am really enjoying the game. I wonder if I will be as good a player next year as I think I am now.