Play large map sizes and restart the game if the AI spawns too close to you. For example on Tiny maps I play one AI, on small I play 2, on medium I play 3 and on Huge I play 4. I like to take my time slowly getting my empire set up, and as such most of the time if the AI spawns right next to me (even if it's my own faction) it will declare war. Sometimes I don't restart, and kick it's butt, other times I just restart the map. Or you can do as random_target suggested and play a map with islands and basically ignore the AI.
Hope you have fun with the game
,
Raven