well, iron works has 2 CP, anyway. And I would (hopefully) rush it with an MGL.
But the way I play, I run for shakespeares, then beeline as fast as I can for steam - this is where the AI can help, by maybe researching invention or gunpowder for you.
To get a really good 20K score, you really need an SGL for Pyramids - both for culture and to grow your civ, since you don't have time to build a granary.