I like a challenge, and losing teaches lessons quickly...ones that I will remember. Besides, it is probably about the only chance the AI is going to get...

I almost answered with a lower difficulty level, because I might run 1 or 2 short partial campaigns at lower settings to get a basic feel for the interface before starting a serious campaign. So I've fudged a bit by considering this the first "serious campaign" (one I intend to finish--win or lose.)

Could be wrong though...perhaps the AI will be much improved. I might have to play one at normal to unlock the other factions.