What would make AI's interesting and keep them from detracting is if they were an "emerging faction"--a conglomeration of self-aware machines banding together for mutual protection and purpose. Basically a "robot rights" movement. All AI players could fit into this faction and make them have a purpose--though I might see Harvesters as separate from that.
In fact you could have good, neutral and even evil AI and the AI "movememnt" would see it as its responsibility to keep AI in check with humans so their future was not threatened. Basically, if you were a "bad machine", the AI faction would be after you. Or if you allied as a human servant and tried to subjugate machines they would resist you or if you were a neutral machine being oppressed, they would defend you.
![[Image: Tink_Shadow.png]](http://junkers.worldstrider.info/images/Tink_Shadow.png)