NO, it's a great benifit and a real help. On the level I play on the computer civs trade tech between themselves at a better rate than they will with you. Also, I start with one settler, one scout and one warrior, my opponents start with an additional four warriors and a worker. All this means that at the start the computer has a BIG advantage, so being able to get techs helps a lot.
I do have one restriction I think may help, if you find a island which has not been explored yet which has a gooddy hut, it can still give you a tech.... so a little village can know the power of Weaponsmith or the lark. so they maybe should be some restrictions to the level of tech they can give.