Cybernetics and control theory, broadly speaking, involve the design of data feedback loops to govern simple machines or complex socio-technical systems. For instance, an organization might instrument a feedback loop to use qualitative survey data to inform decision-making. That isn't ML, but it is cybernetics. And, based on Peter Norvig's definition, it is a form of AI.

Consider that "autopilot" was invented in 1914, long before digital computers. From this perspective, Artificial Intelligence might even be seen as an ancient human practice— present whenever humans have used artifacts to govern complex systems.