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The concept of AI dates back to the early 20th century, but it was Alan Turing who laid the foundation with his famous 1950 paper, "Computing Machinery and Intelligence."Turing proposed the idea of machines being able to simulate human intelligence and introduced the Turing Test, a measure of whether a machine's behaviour could be indistinguishable from that of a human.

In 1956, the term Artificial Intelligence was coined by John McCarthy at the Dartmouth Conference, marking the official birth of AI as a distinct field of study. Early AI research focused on reasoning and problem-solving.

Researchers developed early rule-based systems, which were designed to mimic the decision-making abilities of humans. These systems used set rules and stored knowledge to tackle problems, showing how AI could handle specific, straightforward tasks.

Despite the early excitement, AI research hit some major roadblocks, such as limited computing power, lack of data, and overly high expectations. Since AI systems couldn't yet tackle more complex tasks, interest and funding dropped off during what’s known as the "AI Winter."

In the 1980s, AI research shifted towards machine learning (ML), focusing on systems that could learn from data rather than relying on explicit programming. Neural networks, inspired by the human brain, were reintroduced as a method for machines to identify patterns.

Advancements in computing power and data storage in the 1990s reignited interest in AI. The development of more powerful algorithms (step-by-step instructions or rules designed to solve specific problems) and the ability to process large amounts of information allowed AI to be applied in areas like speech recognition and image processing.

In the 21st century, AI has made significant progress due to deep learning, the rise of big data, and improved computer hardware. Today, AI systems can perform tasks like recognising images and understanding language at a level similar to humans. They are integral to many daily technologies, automating routine tasks for greater efficiency and convenience. 

As AI continues to evolve, it is set to improve many aspects of our lives. However, it is crucial to approach AI safely and ethically by protecting data privacy, preventing biases, and promoting transparency. Adhering to Australia’s National Framework for the Assurance of Artificial Intelligence in Government(Opens in a new tab/window) will help ensure that AI is used responsibly for the benefit of all.