On Gifted does Ai have visibility to all colonizable worlds?

One of the things I dislike about the higher difficulties is the fact that the ai can see all the worlds that are up for grabs in the early game. I am fine with production/money and research bonuses and movement. But what irks me is they zoom in on EVERY planet unerringly. 

Is this still the case? Can we mod this so the Ai is as blind as the player say at least on Gifted?

Cheers!