AI and QR Codes: Four Ways AI Can Improve QR Code Technology

The convergence of AI and QR codes presents a technological revolution that can lead to many profound implications in the digital landscape. 

QR codes are the gateways to a world where information flows seamlessly, providing a fast and smooth connection from the tangible to the virtual world. 

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is reshaping our interaction with information with its unparalleled capacity to decipher, process, and comprehend vast datasets. 

AI goes beyond data handling; it reveals concealed patterns, extracts priceless insights, and makes informed decisions based on available data. You have all the information you’ll ever need right at your fingertips. 

Discover how AI systems enhance the versatility of QR codes, opening doors to innovation and efficiency in the article below. 

How does QR code technology work?

When you embed your data into a QR code, the QR generator breaks it into several parts or pieces and stores each into a module—the small squares that make up the QR code’s pattern.

Once you scan the generated QR code with your smartphone camera or a QR code scanner app, its built-in software translates the broken data back into its original form.

After scanning, a text will show on your screen. It could be a website URL or other text data like serial numbers or product descriptions.

While QR codes mostly store text, it’s not all they can encode.

Today’s advanced QR code software can generate a QR code with a short URL leading to an online page that can host files like images, documents, audio files, and videos. This special QR type is called a dynamic QR code.

After scanning the QR code, users can access and save the file to their devices.

How AI improves the efficiency of QR code technology

Boost scanning accuracy

A QR scanner must recognize the QR code image to scan and access its content. But external factors like image quality, minor damage like scratches or wearing, and scanning orientation can affect this.

The good thing is that QR codes have positioning markers—a.k.a “eyes,” the three squares at the corners— that allow scanners to recognize the code regardless of orientation.

They also have built-in error correction features that preserve their readability despite minor damage.

AI can then take advantage of these features to improve scanning accuracy further. It can enhance the quality of the scanned QR code image for faster recognition.

And since AI can learn from the data it gathers, it can devise ways to counter scanning challenges.

Provide further context and information

AI can analyze not only the textual content within a QR code but also delve deeper into its context and underlying meaning, thanks to Natural Language Processing (NLP). 

NLP algorithms allow AI to understand a QR code’s purpose better. Aside from simply recognizing characters, NLP also analyzes the meaning and context of the data.

Say you have a QR code with the text “Grab our limited-time deals today.” NLP gives AI the idea that the QR code is for a sales promotion. This allows AI to respond in a way more suited according to the code’s content.

Create tailor-fit experiences

Artificial Intelligence’s ability to extract and understand the contents and interactions made with a QR code allows it to create more personalized user experiences. This can then lead to increased QR code engagement.

When someone scans a QR code and interacts with its content, AI algorithms can analyze their behavior and preferences.

AI can then provide users with recommendations, deals, and offers from brands or other content that match their interests. It can also perform A/B testing to see which content types scanners would like to see.

Improve security

QR codes use end-to-end encryption to guarantee the safety of your data from threats. Also, most online QR code generator tools provide extra security features for users’ QR codes.

Integrating AI and QR codes can improve these code’s security levels. Since AI can detect the QR code’s content, it can warn stakeholders if it contains a phishing link or leads to a malicious website. 

If you haven’t heard, scammers also use QR codes to steal personal data. They place fake QR codes over legitimate ones to fool people into scanning the code and accessing its embedded link.

But worry not; AI algorithms can tell whether a QR code is fake. With AI in place, people will be safe from the security risks these fake QR codes pose.

This advanced authentication makes AI a handy and valuable integration to QR code technology.

How can AI-powered QR codes help industries?

Check out the examples below that show how AI-powered QR codes can help different industries: 

1. Marketing

Here’s a fundamental idea in marketing: Customers pay for things they actually want or need. Marketers must address their consumers’ pain points to make their products more desirable.

AI and QR codes can help marketers understand customers’ unique preferences and interests. With the data gathered, they can launch tailored QR campaigns that will likely increase customer engagement.

AI algorithms can also study users’ interaction with QR codes. This allows marketers to send promotions, deals, and special offers closely related to their desires.

2. Pharmaceuticals

AI-powered QR codes can help prevent the spread of these fake medications. Pharmaceutical companies can add QR codes on drug packaging. These will allow consumers to check the authenticity of the medicine with just one scan.

And with AI’s ability to detect real and fake QR codes, drug manufacturers can actively seek out any counterfeit code added to their products.

3. Fashion

One challenge those in the fashion industry face is to release clothing lines that would meet or even exceed the expectations of their target audiences and, at times, the general public.

That’s why finding out consumers’ preferences and fashion tastes is crucial. One way is to conduct A/B testing through AI-powered QR codes.

Designers and stylists can launch QR code campaigns with AI algorithms that will determine which clothing pieces customers prefer. 

AI-generated QR codes: Aesthetics meet functionality

Creating visually attractive QR code campaigns is now surging the trends, and what makes it more unique is that these codes still work like regular codes.

Reddit user nchiao made news as they shared a gallery of AI-generated anime QR codes on the platform. They integrated Stable Diffusion and ControlNet technology to create these aesthetic yet functional QR codes.

Stable Diffusion uses “img2img,” an AI model that allows users to create images from text descriptions. Meanwhile, ControlNet is an additional model designed to manage Stable Diffusion while blending extra conditions. 

These conditions are important because they allow users to tweak the subject and train ControlNet according to their preferences. 

Redditor nchiao personally trained their ControlNet model to create concealed QR code images. The training process is highly efficient, resulting in minimal training samples, making it a flexible and agile tool. 

AI-generated QR codes in action

Integrating AI-generated QR codes is a vibrant blend of technology and aesthetics that can set your brand apart, engage your customers, and leave a lasting impression.

Coca-Cola employed this technique effectively by introducing an artistic AI-generated QR code art as part of its Coke Studio music platform, crafted using AI technology. 

Each code redirects to a distinct scene and artist in Coke’s music video, “Be Who You Are (Real Magic),” featured in their global music program. 

They debuted the QR codes in out-of-home displays in theaters, stadiums, and theme parks in the U.S. to enhance the effectiveness of their marketing campaign.

This brilliant move from Coca-Cola will blaze a trail for other companies interested in using AI-generated QR codes in their strategies.

Towards an evolved future: AI is revolutionizing the QR code technology

The creative fusion of AI and QR codes has truly improved convenience and security and provided users with a more personalized experience. 

As this integration continues to evolve, you can look forward to more innovative applications and improvements in the future. Picture a more efficient and engaging marketing campaign that truly grabs your attention.

To ensure a smooth experience as you take advantage of AI-powered QR codes, use QR TIGER, the industry’s most advanced QR code generator. 

This software is recognized as “Most Innovative” by ProductHunt and is a consistent top QR code maker on platforms like G2, Trustpilot, and Sourcerforge.

Start your journey with QR TIGER and sign up for an account today. 

FAQ

Can AI generate QR codes?

Yes, AI can function as a QR code generator. AI-powered software and tools can create QR codes with various functionalities. It can customize the codes’ content and design to suit specific applications and campaigns.

What technology does QR code use?

QR codes use a combination of black and white patterns to encode data, which can be scanned and interpreted by devices equipped with 2-dimensional digital image recognition technology and software.