Hello,
I was about to post on the exact same issue. On game #2203209. Elite AI worked properly until day 2 (Dec. 24th). AI made two trade embargo on two different players and it gave me a right of way. After those two days, no more trade embargo on anyone, no war declared the whole game and no more right of way or shared map. It acts like a normal AI in terms of diplomacy but still produce and build like an AI elite.
We all paid 5000 gold (x25 = 125,000 gold) and we don't get what we paid for! For me it changed the game because I'm one of the most popular but I get no advantage out of it since day 2. I'm a small country and I could sell/buy at better price if embargo/war was on.
Thanks for your continuous support.