Does the AI ever build Explore units?

[Optimizer]

I have never seen the AI build a unit with the Explore role, no matter how good I make the units. It can use the units, though.

Has anyone managed to make the AI build exploring units?

[Sheik]

I have maybe seen one built? I am not sure though.

I have given them to the AI in the editor and you are right they can use them and they use them quite well. Maybe for a civ to build them they need the build often Explore flag checked (it there such a thing, I am to lazy to check).

[Ed O'War]

I've seen the AI build plenty of Explorers and Scouts. I wonder, if you gave an exploring unit combat values, would the AI use them to attack, or would you have to give the unit both Offense and Explore AI functions?

[Sheik]

You would need to give the unit both offense and explore flags to have the AI use them as a combat unit. However I believe that the AI would use a explore explorer to attack in certain circumstances. The AI seems to see two seperate units while we see one. We call it Modern Armor but they may call it Defensive Modern Armor.

[Optimizer]

I just want the AI to use the units for exploration.