Faction Warfare

Now that the nationality system is largely in place, the AI ships' behavior is going to be changed for 0.7.6 to take advantage of this.  Up until now the AI attacks any players, and are all of the Pirate faction.  Starting in 0.7.6 the AI will instead find targets based on relations, including targeting other AI. 

As far as the Pirate faction, you won't notice any change, since Pirates are at war by default with all nations.  What will be interesting is AI will be implemented for other nations, not just pirates.  Most of the AI ships in high populated areas, such as the English Channel, will be replaced with ships relevant to the area, such as Britain and France.  More remote areas will continue to primarily have Pirates.  

Part of the fun will be that Britain and France will often be in conflict, as they were historically.  You'll get to watch these AI fight each other, participate in it yourself, if chased by Pirates you'll see them come to your rescue if you're in range.  Going to make for a much more lively world, where things are happening on their own that you can join in, rather than all the content revolving around the players.