UK to Deploy AI for Age Estimation of Asylum Seekers Starting Next Year

The UK government is set to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology at its borders next year to estimate the ages of asylum seekers, with the specific goal of identifying adults who may be falsely claiming to be children. A software firm has secured a contract to develop and pilot the system, which calculates age by analyzing photographs captured at border checkpoints.

According to the Home Office, the technology is designed to help identify adult migrants who are "attempting to game the system," citing initial tests that showed "promising performance and accuracy." However, the initiative has faced strong opposition from Human Rights Watch, which has called for the scheme to be abandoned. The charity labeled the tool as "unproven technology" that threatens to erode the safeguards guaranteed to vulnerable children.

The distinction in classification is critical because unaccompanied child migrants are typically placed in the care system and supported by local councils, rather than being held in standard asylum accommodations like hotels. Furthermore, children benefit from specific legal protections that can streamline their asylum applications and facilitate longer stays in the country.

This policy shift follows years of increased arrivals of people crossing the English Channel in small boats and seeking asylum. In the year ending June 2025, 111,084 individuals claimed asylum in the UK, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. Home Office data reveals that in the year ending March 2026, over 6,400 migrants claiming to be children underwent age assessments at the border, with 43% determined to be adults.

Concerns regarding the reliability of current methods were highlighted in a report by the UK’s independent immigration inspector last year. The report identified instances where adults were incorrectly classified as children and vice versa. It noted that without a "foolproof" testing method, errors in age assessment are "inevitable," posing a significant risk, particularly when children are denied the rights and protections they are owed.

To address these inaccuracies, the government announced plans to utilize AI facial estimation technology last year. Following an exploration phase by the Home Office, a new contract was awarded this week to Akhter Computers Ltd, an IT supplier based in Harlow. The £322,000, three-year agreement will fund further development and testing of the technology before a full rollout in mid-2027.

Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, defended the move, stating that adult migrants making false age claims have "exploited the system and diverted vital support away from children at risk." He added, "That is why we are rolling out AI technology to put a stop to this, ensuring those who game the system are identified, detained and removed without delay, and those who deserve support and protection are given it."

The Home Office has already conducted preliminary tests using images representing various ethnicities and genders, including demographics common among asylum seekers, within its operational systems. However, these test results have not yet influenced live decisions. The technology is scheduled to be trialed on actual asylum seeker cases at the Western Jet Foil processing center in Dover next year.

Currently, border force officials conduct initial age assessments using traditional methods such as reviewing documents, observing appearance, and evaluating demeanor. The new facial estimation tool is intended to serve as an additional resource for officers when age is uncertain. If a border official disputes the age of a claimant, social workers then step in to conduct further assessments.

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has cautioned that integrating AI into this process could result in serious safeguarding failures. Professor Sam Baron, inter... [text ends]

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-29 09:35:22 UTC