Does the AI connect to your server during the game for strategic advice?

Over the last six months I have attempted to win the game via conquest on ludicrous map with 60 godlike AI Civs, three clones of each of your base Civs, abundant everything except blackholes set to common or uncommon I dont remember. Every time I have gotten close I was prevented from winning by a bug or an update to the game.

However, my current attempt with 2.7.1, I decided to turn off my wifi when I load steam and the game to prevent updating. I noticed what appears to be an easier AI, Im just getting better, or 2.7 nerfed the computer. By turn 117, with all 60 players discovered I am ranked #1 with a score of 27,000, a clone of United Earth is Second at 20,000, a couple AI around 17,000, then everyone else down at or under 10,000. Granted I have over 55 hours into this attempt, about a half an hour per turn now, so maybe it's just me.

Does the AI look to your servers for help or planning?