The AI will not use its combat fighters or take evasive action but it will fire its weapons at the enemy - while sitting stationary. To get the combat fighters to launch, I have to click on the ship and tell it to Attack All Enemies - then it will launch fighters and take evasive action.
I agree with buffing it as you go up in building tier, but the early drone itself not so much.
I would agree and ask that there be a button to toggle boost on and off instead of always having to hold it down, though.