Write a short (< 250 words) essay entitled "Behind the hype on AI: its history, present and future". Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a topic of fascination and speculation for decades. While the field has seen remarkable progress in recent years, it is important to understand the history of AI to appreciate how far we've come and what the future might hold. The origins of AI date back to the mid-20th century, when researchers first began exploring the possibility of creating machines that could think and learn like humans. Early efforts focused on rule-based systems and expert systems, which could make decisions based on predetermined rules or sets of knowledge. In the 1980s and 1990s, advances in machine learning and neural networks led to breakthroughs in pattern recognition and natural language processing. However, progress was slow due to limitations in computational power and data availability. In recent years, the availability of large datasets and advances in computing power have enabled significant progress in AI, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and other advanced techniques. AI is now being used in a wide range of applications, from self-driving cars to healthcare to finance. Looking towards the future, there is tremendous potential for AI to continue transforming our world in positive ways. However, it is also important to be mindful of the potential risks and challenges associated with AI, such as bias, privacy concerns, and job displacement. In conclusion, while the hype surrounding AI is warranted given its recent progress, it is important to understand the field's history and the potential risks and challenges associated with it. By doing so, we can ensure that AI is developed and deployed in responsible and ethical ways that benefit society as a whole.