As far as I know AI_unitUpdate is the only place in Python where you can control unit AI. This is because the SDK reads the return value from AI_unitUpdate and ignores the unit if you return the proper value. If you try to set the unit AI anywhere else the SDK just overrides it. If there is a thread for the rhye's mod, you might want to post a question there and see if AI_unitUpdate is available in the mod. I don't know if it is possible to do, but they may have just extended CvGameUtils the same way that some people have extended CvEventManager. If that is the case then AI_unitUpdate should still be available.