You mention QR codes leading to bad experiences, but that’s the fault of the company implementing them. Snapchat follow codes are just glorified QR codes and everyone is loving those at the moment! Your example of scanning a bot code really is just another form of a QR code, and a company’s poor implementation of bots will lead to the same poor user experience. There will need to be (just like in every interaction with a customer no matter what the medium — including face-to-face) thoughtful strategy behind its application.