What I messed up by leaving 'unreadable QR codes' to AI

"I've done it now..."
That kind of thing has been happening for the past few days.

A new challenge: Member authentication system via official LINE

At Sakuraya, we have recently launched a member authentication system utilizing our official LINE account.

By digitizing enrollment and guardian verification, we aim to reduce the hassle for customers and lighten the burden on store staff. In the future, we want to create a system that can deliver more necessary information to the people who need it.

We have been preparing with that thought in mind.

During this process, I was using AI to create SNS images and flyers.
Generating design ideas and images is truly convenient, and tasks that used to take hours now proceed surprisingly quickly.

An unexpected pitfall: 'Unreadable QR codes'

However, this time, there was an unexpected pitfall with that AI.
It was the QR code I had placed on the flyer.

AI recognizes QR codes as part of an image.
Even if they look the same to humans, it can sometimes change their shape slightly.

The flyers were printed, thinking they were finished. When I tried to scan them...

"It won't scan."

The QR code had become something else entirely.

I hurriedly corrected it and reprinted them.
I also had to ask our Sakuraya partners nationwide to provide guidance once again.

Another cold sweat: LINE integration configuration error

And one more thing. For this authentication system, we are linking our official LINE account with an external expansion system.

I was convinced that "these settings are fine."
However, it turned out that I had actually set up the flow incorrectly, and it was consuming the message quota on the official LINE side that wasn't supposed to be used.

Since the briefing session was over and I had already sent it out nationwide, I was honestly quite panicked.

The website production company.
The system company.
The blog production company.
And the Sakuraya partners nationwide.

Precisely because so many people are involved,
"What should I do?"
I couldn't stop breaking out in a cold sweat.

It's always been like this for 16 years

However, looking back, I've always been like this.

Since I started Sakuraya 16 years ago, I've been failing, fixing, failing again, and improving again. It's been a cycle of that.

So, this time is no different. Rather than the failure itself, I believe

'why it failed'
and 'how to improve it next time'

are what truly matter.

The lesson this time is that while it's convenient, in the end, it comes down to people.

What I learned this time is very simple.

AI is convenient. It is incredibly convenient.
But the final check must be done by a human.

Especially for things like QR codes, numbers, URLs, and system settings, you must not skip the process of checking with human eyes. I was reminded of that obvious fact once again.

Even so, I will continue to use AI.

Even so, I will continue to use AI. Because it allows me to take on challenges I couldn't before.

This LINE authentication system is also just getting started.
Honestly, how student verification and parent verification will be operated is still an unknown.

But I believe in a future where this system becomes convenient for parents across the country and makes school uniform reuse easier to use.

Failure is proof of progress.

Failure is proof of progress. It only happens because you are taking on new challenges.

I learned one more thing today.

Well, I wonder what kind of failure I'll have next (laughs).
When that happens, I'll be sure to report it honestly to everyone again.