Hoookey dokey. So not really any way to do a balanced conventional start, then.
Bummer.
Oh, starting year doesn't make a difference, right? That's purely aesthetic?
Well, it _is_ kind of balanced, _if_ you can survive the first, oh, 20 years or so.
The AI is in no way as good as a human at research and if a human and the AI start at the same level, the human will out-research the AI in short order, making for a rather boring game of curbstumping AI empires.
If, on the other hand, the AI has a huge headstart, the game stays a lot longer interesting.
Of course, if soon after game-start an NPR finds you, you are pretty much screwed.
Rising from the ashes could be an interesting challenge too, however;)
And no, starting year is just a roleplaying thing.