diff --git a/android/assets/jsons/Difficulties.json b/android/assets/jsons/Difficulties.json
index 6bbdd715f8..d6c4d50772 100644
--- a/android/assets/jsons/Difficulties.json
+++ b/android/assets/jsons/Difficulties.json
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:1,
 		aiYieldModifier:0.6, // Replaces "Construction rate" and "Create rate" in original config
 		aiFreeTechs:[],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:1
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:1,
+		aisExchangeTechs:false
 	},
 	{
 		name:"Chieftain",
@@ -19,7 +20,8 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:1,
 		aiYieldModifier:0.75,
 		aiFreeTechs:[],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:1
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:1,
+		aisExchangeTechs:false
 	},
 	{
 		name:"Warlord",
@@ -30,7 +32,8 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:1,
 		aiYieldModifier:0.9,
 		aiFreeTechs:[],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:1
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:1,
+		aisExchangeTechs:false
 	},
 	{
 		name:"Prince",
@@ -41,7 +44,8 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:0.85,
 		aiYieldModifier:1,
 		aiFreeTechs:[],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:1
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:1,
+		aisExchangeTechs:true
 	},
 	{
 		name:"King",
@@ -52,7 +56,8 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:0.8,
 		aiYieldModifier:1.15,
 		aiFreeTechs:["Pottery"],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.9
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.9,
+		aisExchangeTechs:true
 	},
 	{
 		name:"Emperor",
@@ -63,7 +68,8 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:0.75,
 		aiYieldModifier:1.25,
 		aiFreeTechs:["Pottery","Animal Husbandry"],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.85
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.85,
+		aisExchangeTechs:true
 	},
 	{
 		name:"Immortal",
@@ -74,7 +80,8 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:0.65,
 		aiYieldModifier:1.5,
 		aiFreeTechs:["Pottery","Animal Husbandry","Mining"],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.75
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.75,
+		aisExchangeTechs:true
 	},
 	{
 		name:"Deity",
@@ -85,6 +92,7 @@
 		aiUnitMaintenanceModifier:0.5,
 		aiYieldModifier:2,
 		aiFreeTechs:["Pottery","Animal Husbandry","Mining","The Wheel"],
-		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.6
+		aiUnhappinessModifier:0.6,
+		aisExchangeTechs:true
 	}
 ]
diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt
index 1924b27200..61a006b531 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import kotlin.math.min
 
 class NextTurnAutomation{
 
+    /** Top-level AI turn tasklist */
     fun automateCivMoves(civInfo: CivilizationInfo) {
         offerPeaceTreaty(civInfo)
         exchangeTechs(civInfo)
@@ -42,6 +43,8 @@ class NextTurnAutomation{
     }
 
     private fun exchangeTechs(civInfo: CivilizationInfo) {
+        if(!civInfo.gameInfo.getDifficulty().aisExchangeTechs) return
+
         val otherCivList = civInfo.getKnownCivs()
                 .filter { it.playerType == PlayerType.AI && !it.isBarbarianCivilization() }
                 .sortedBy { it.tech.techsResearched.size }
diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/models/gamebasics/Difficulty.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/models/gamebasics/Difficulty.kt
index 66ad532d87..1072d36c9a 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/models/gamebasics/Difficulty.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/models/gamebasics/Difficulty.kt
@@ -13,4 +13,5 @@ class Difficulty: INamed {
     var aiYieldModifier = 1f
     var aiFreeTechs = ArrayList<String>()
     var aiUnhappinessModifier = 1f
+    var aisExchangeTechs = false
 }
\ No newline at end of file