I think the best solution would not include area ids, programmed paths, or anything like that.

Bots should be able to read the level data and extract the masking information. They should then keep a record of where all players are (which is obviously possible based on the JazzVCR screenies.

Rules:

1) Bots are not allowed to use player locations in their decision-making AI unless the player is in range (i.e. on the bot's "screen").
2) Bots can make assumptions about where a player is going based on his/her last "known" location and direction.
3) Bots cannot "cheat" by searching the level data for power-ups, health, etc., but they can remember locations where they see these items.
4) Bots can use a level's mask data and path-finding algorithms to figure out the best way to get to any given location.
5) I don't know. More stuff.

-Nag