I' had always been disappointed with AI expansion myself - the best any faction could manage ever was about 14-15 provinces and thats in just about every mod I ever played. That was until I played the latest Stainless Steel 6.2 compilation mod and finally the AI factions were fielding decent empires. Until I killed my graphics card I (playing as the Teutonic Order) had 32 provinces, Egypt had about 30 and France until they got excommed had about 25. The Mongols who are on steroids in this mod had about 40 provinces until they got owned by me and Egypt.

Finally happy with something and then