>If AI is natural language programming then they already had it in 1978, because AI is in fact "asking a programmer to write code for you"

That would just be the "I" part, since was missing the A for artificial: you asked a naturally made person.

And yes, nobody argued that they didn't have I in 1978, so I'm not sure what the argument is supposed to prove.

It's the same as "natural language bricklaying" where you make walls appear by speaking instructions to a brickie whom you're paying.