AI research speed on slow development

[Squarehead]

Is there something up with AI research speed on slow development games? On Hard the AI seems to be able to field combat armour and gauss equipped infantry way faster than I can, around round 50, which is only slightly slower than what I last managed in a normal development speed game. It makes it feel like slow development impacts the payer a lot more strongly than it does the AI. Can anyone comment if that's true?
At first I thought I might just be getting unlucky, but the same thing has happened to me in a few different games now. Playing the same difficulty with normal development speed I've been able to keep a lot closer to the AI tech wise so I'm starting to wonder if there's a bug or something with slow development.

[solops]

Well, in my current game they are ripping me a new one with Polymer Med tanks vs my metal light tanks. I just put it down to incompetence. I had no problem with my previous game. I think a lot depends on your luck with which techs you discover early.

[Bellrock]

"On Hard the AI seems to be able to field combat armour and gauss equipped infantry way faster than I can, around round 50"

Yes, but not all Major AI's will be this advanced. It's typically the one Major AI that has this advantage will be the one that declares war on you. So this aggressive Major will be the one you notice, as it will bring the pain.

[solops]

I got RPGs into my MG Infantry units, which allowed me to stall the AI long enough (at great cost and loss of territory) to buy him off and get peace. This peace has lasted long enough to get polymer armor. The race is on to see if I can get it deployed before he inevitably attacks again. Just got Gauss guns, too, but I doubt if I can get it out to all of my units before he hits me again. I am running out of money to buy him off. Plus I have two other majors at war with me. I have spent a lot of resources courting yet two other majors, pumping them with trade and tech treaties in an effort to shore them up against the hostile AIs, another way of buying time. Hard is a lot more fun than the easier settings.