Given that it requires, what, 4 labs and all the culture pre-reqs, it's probably most useful when capturing using the titan to capture worlds deep in enemy territory so you have time to throw up some other structures without being overthrown.

That's all i can think of.

IMO the main feature is that all else being equal, it ensures you'll have your culture combat bonuses on all of your planets, save in the face of a really strong culture assault, though having a cap in the battle should be more than enough to repel it.

If your advent and have culture at all you already have at least 2 stations, so only 3 more and you have free culture on all your planets.  If you have trade you already have at least 3 stations, so just 2 more and you have free culture on all planets.  Those 2 or 3 extra stations are cheaper then 2 or 3 culture structures.

Plus, once I have culture my opponents are forced to build a few additional research stations themselves.

That said, I do agree the tech is underwhelming.  Especially considering the tech is disabled once you lose 5 stations, while techs like pervasive economy continue even after you lose your science labs.  The awesome techs can't be stopped, but this mediocre tech for the AL can be stopped.

I hear it's still bugged...