This article samples the hot research topics in information technology in 2017. We review the reinforcement learning that showed great promise in AI application, the quantum computer research which reached a 50 qubit competition stage, smart home that is increasingly popular among general public, and more mature robot simulation technology. Meanwhile, we also experienced major challenges in 2017. For example, AI algorithms were found to be biased due to existing data containing human bias; researchers found fake news had major impact on 2016 U.S. Presidential election; bitcoin value increased dramatically and was more like a bubble; ransomware threatening computer users was getting worse.
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