FIFA 16 delivered AI upgrades that helped team mates make space, but it isn't a perfect system. With FIFA 17 Active Intelligence should improve this experience with new enhancements.
Active Intelligence in FIFA 17 makes each player aware of their surroundings and how close they are to team mates and defenders. With this information players will move, read and react to your decisions with the ball better than in FIFA 16.
When you have the ball players will recognize if you cannot pass at that moment or pick up on a run so that they can show or change to run for support. You'll see teammates make fake runs and stunt runs to help draw attention and open up your attack with multiple players.
This should allow your teammates to take on a more active role in attacks than in FIFA 16.