How does beating the AI map onto online play, and what would be considered "good" vs the AI for a mid-low ranking online player?

I just don't want to go and try and play online and get my ass handed to me immediately by someone who is, in online terms, still a total beginner. I've been playing since 1999 but only just got back into it cos of DE and I'm still shaking off a bit of rust, but I can usually beat a hard AI 1v1 and moderate isn't even a challenge with 2 or 3 against 1. Should I be beating hard AI consistently? I've noticed hard is where they start getting a lot more dynamic with rushes and counters and varied playstyles, it definitely feels like better practice.