The surge of contactless payments, particularly in vast markets like India, has brought QR codes to the fingertips of almost every consumer. This ubiquitous technology is now witnessing a fusion with artificial intelligence (AI), ushering in new levels of utility and adoption. QR codes have become the driving force behind billions of transactions spanning sectors as diverse as retail, real estate, healthcare, and consumer goods.
AI is playing a pivotal role in enhancing the security, efficiency, and adaptability of QR codes. It accomplishes this by improving image quality, rectifying errors, and personalizing QR codes. Smart computer vision algorithms are deployed to identify and locate QR codes within larger images, ensuring that the data and pattern within QR codes are sharp and easily readable. This level of personalization allows for a wide range of applications, from digital business cards to product information.
The future
QR codes, like many technologies, have evolved in phases and are poised for further development. Issues related to security and authenticity are being effectively addressed through the integration of AI and smarter codes. Future phases of development could potentially introduce micro codes that are invisible to the human eye. Additionally, the incorporation of colours into QR codes will allow for the storage of even more data. With its inception and public sharing of the technology, Masahiro Hara and Denso have enabled one of the most democratically deployed technologies in recent history. The evolution of QR codes and their ongoing integration with AI promise to reshape the way we interact with digital information and transactions.
Growing use cases
As the use of QR codes has proliferated, so has the potential for fraudulent activities. Some individuals have fallen victim to deceptive QR codes claiming to represent authentic products or services. However, AI has stepped in to address this issue by creating dynamic QR codes that change at frequent intervals, thus preventing misuse and enhancing security.
Beyond payments, QR codes are also making significant inroads into product and information sectors, further expanding their utility.
In India, the National Payment Corporation of India, in collaboration with the International Card Schemes (ICS), has played a pivotal role in establishing a common standard and introducing “Bharat QR,” a digital payment mechanism now widely adopted by merchants and e-commerce websites.
