Free picks for AI could be bugged?

[Dio]

I noticed that only human controlled factions with this option get the additional techonology at the start of a game. Is this a bug?

[Yitzi]

It would seem so.

[Yitzi]

Well, I've started investigation, and found that your statement is not quite correct: Human-controlled factions, as well as any that come before human-controlled factions in the faction order, get the extra tech.  So if you play Morgan in slot 4 and the University is the AI in slot 3, the University will start with a bonus tech, but if you play Morgan in slot 3 and the University is the AI in slot 4, it will not get the bonus tech.

Such aberrant behavior is a clear mark of a bug, so the next step is to fix it.

[Yitzi]

Ok, I've finished the investigation, and it's not a bug after all.  AI players do get the bonus tech, but not until their first turn...so if you play before them, then they won't have it on your first turn.  Check on your second turn, though, and they've got the bonus tech.

[Geo]

Ok, I've finished the investigation, and it's not a bug after all.  AI players do get the bonus tech, but not until their first turn...so if you play before them, then they won't have it on your first turn.  Check on your second turn, though, and they've got the bonus tech.

Now that you mention it, I remember reading this way back at 'poly.
Anyway, saves you fixing another bug.