The internet is only good at two things.
(a) Denial, this is tech advanced situation.
(b) In a tech backward/parity situation. When backward it will bring you to parity. At parity you can do deep space race or military beelines, depending on what the ai is researching (eg, te ai is favouring late military such as adv flight, laser, you can hit fusion, ecology, safe knowing that they will get those military techs for you).