You have to remember that this is relative though. For me, I just got better. I remember the Elite AI being difficult a while ago, but now I don't even think about it.

New pilots don't have the practice though, and are not past the learning curve yet. Elite AI is easy when you are getting top 10 times. Not so much when you are struggling to learn the tracks though. I've noticed more barrel rolls, more effective weapon use, and more strategic us of pickups. I don't think the AI is easier, and I would argue it is more difficult. However I don't really notice, and I suspect you may not either. That does not apply for new pilots though.