My 3 AIs are "Godlike" (highest setting). They kicked my butt in Power for about 80 turns, 2x to 3x ahead of me.
I'm catching up. Around turn 90, I finally surpassed Altarian and Iridium. Drengin's lead over me has shrunk from ~3x to ~1.6x.
GC2 "Genius" setting consisted of +100% economy (compared to the human player), and all AI algorithms. I don't know what GC3 "Godlike" entails, but it feels similar.

Around turn 110, I encounter Drengin. I slowly move ships to attack. He has a fleet of Defenders (missile + chaff).

Ergo: On Godlike, Drengin have out-researched me
. (But ... I beat him on Approval)