Coca-Cola uses AI-generated QR codes in latest push

The humble QR code is getting a long overdue makeover in a new brand/AI/artist collaboration from the beverage giant…

Here’s one unassailable benefit of AI—it can make QR codes look prettier.

The humble and usually homely digital code gets a marked upgrade in Coca-Cola’s new campaign, which uses AI to generate artful images that still work when scanned. A creative technologist and artist named Troy Ni began experimenting with QR code art this summer, using Stable Diffusion and ControlNet, and posted the results to Reddit. So, Coke reached out to him and commissioned the branded ones.

There are five codes in all, which began appearing on out-of-home displays at movie theaters, stadiums and theme parks across the U.S. beginning this month. 

The codes link to Coke’s music video for “Be Who You Are (Real Magic),” which rolled out earlier this summer. The track was written by Grammy winner Jon Batiste and features artists NewJeans, JID, Camilo and Cat Burns. Coke commissioned the song and video to kick off season 2 of Coke Studio, its global music platform supporting emerging musicians.

Full story and all of the QR codes at AdAge Creativity.