Can an AI faction win BI?

Does anyone know if it's actually possible for an AI controlled faction to beat the player in BI by achieving its victory conditions? I just saw a screenshot of a friend's ERE campaign where the Franks (victory conditions: 20 provinces including 3 in Gaul) owned 21 provinces, including the whole of Gaul by any stretch of the imagination. Yet they weren't awarded victory and my friend went on to win the campaign.

Has anyone ever been beaten by the AI without being eliminated, or received a message warning that an AI faction is about to win?

nvm.

There have definitely been players reporting the AI is close to winning the game in BI. I think a month or two ago someone posted a pic that showed one of the AI factions close to victory, possibly because they'd had a very successful time after hording.

When playing as the Sassanids, I once saw the Alemannii conquer 25 provinces, all of western and central Europe. All they had to do was capture Rome, but they never expanded south of the Alps for some reason.

There should be, because in the Roxolani or Sarmatian play-guides, or maybe both, the players who have contributed have stated a need to avoid the hordes while building up an empire quickly before the AI factions win, making the game difficult.