On an Excessive map with 15 Gifted opponents,  I can take a tech victory before I have completely explored the galaxy.  Once, I did the work of taking out 3 factions.  My research rate just kept building with each new planet and spiking up on the graphs.  Even without that, none of the other factions have a research rate anywhere near my obsessive levels.  More important, none of them seemed particularly research focused compared to the others according to the graphs.  I have heard claims they will pursue victory conditions.  I have not seen evidence of an active competition for a Tech victory.  My expectation is that even if they are not keeping up with me, one or two of them should be noticeably outpacing the others as evidence of a faction preference or plan.  If others have seen something like that, I would be interested.

The Altarians (at least pre Crusade) often go for a Tech-Victory,

if they get a decent amount of planets early on and you are distracted with war,

they can actually win the game (already happend to me xD)

I always shut off the technology victory option off, because it is too easy and cheesy to win that way in my experience. Things may have changed since Crusade came out, it might be more challenging to win by technology victory now. I doubt it though.