AI is smarter with the new update, but fighting endless stacks of random shit Tretch spawns is annoying. They're not hard to beat, but they're annoying.
On another note, AI Chorfs seem to steal seats far less. I've never had a game where by turn 30 they never stole from someone else and even comfortably started expanding into tier 2. Maybe someone complained to CA and they disabled it, or reduced the likelihood. I don't mind it, it was annoying.