The 'AI Base' mission involves an encounter with a Bot base whose Command Center is equipped with an autonomous AI core. It begins when you locate an AI controlled Robot base, its coordinates revealed by an "AI Signature Found" event. Completion unlocks the AI Core, an advanced version of the Behavior Controller component.
01: AI
You will first come upon a lone Command Center which possesses a Fabricator and some basic resources. Observe it for a while; it should be demonstrating the AI Controller's advanced behavior functions to refine its materials, produce an Assembler and begin rolling out Worker bots and Miner components.
02: AI Behaviors
Once the Worker Miner begins returning resources the observation period should be complete. ELAIN will inform you of the ability to produce your own AI Cores at a Robotics Assembler. Be advised: AI Cores require materials beyond the first tier of Robot research.