My biggest problem with the AI is their constant jumping of capital ships in and out of combat - they don't stay and fight, just pop in and out, allowing you to simply sit a ship or two at their entry point and slowly work them down.

Starbases are definitely being upgraded. However I'm seeing a lot of Percheron spamming by the AI, and very little use of capital ships offensively.

the ai is broken it has been since beta give them some time to get it working right

Don't worry too much about the AI.  If having an intelligent opponent is really important to you, you'll play against people in online multiplayer.

The AI rebels end up just using pirates after awhile I have a game going with three vicous AI rebels and it's like getting attacked with pirates that have Nova cannons. D: I would go to multiplayer but it's just not that fun lrm to titan or sova to lrm scout to titian or titian then lrm for lols or LRM kodiak titian or LRM repair Titian or Titian repair cruisers that sums up multi just rather have a good AI they are more polite.

I rarely use starbases because I spend my resources on ships instead. The normal AI have attacked my planets defended with a couple canons and hangars though.

They'll always be a couple jerkwads out there, but most of the people aren't jerks like that.  Are you really going to allow a couple bad apples to kick you off the playground?  If you get insulted, grow a pair and insult them back.  What are they going to do?  Throw a punch over the Internet?

The good news is that it looks like Rebellion won't allow for smurfing; you'll be able to see how experienced players are.