AI facial recognition to check age of asylum seekers from next year

UK Introduces AI Facial Recognition for Asylum Seekers’ Age Verification in 2027

AI facial recognition to check age – The UK government is set to implement an artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition system to determine the age of asylum seekers starting in 2027. This initiative, which aims to combat the issue of adult migrants falsely claiming to be children, has been entrusted to a software firm following a recent contract award. The technology will analyze photographs taken at border checkpoints to estimate a person’s age, helping officials identify individuals who may be exploiting the asylum system. The Home Office stated that the tool will enhance efficiency in age assessments, particularly for those seeking to bypass the care system for vulnerable children.

Efficiency and Accuracy in Age Assessment

According to government sources, the AI tool has demonstrated “promising performance and accuracy” in preliminary tests. Officials argue that it will streamline the process of verifying a migrant’s age, reducing the time and resources required compared to manual methods. Currently, immigration officers rely on documents, medical imaging like X-rays and MRI scans, and interviews to assess age, which can be time-consuming. The new system is designed to serve as a supplementary tool, offering faster results while supporting human judgment in cases where age is uncertain.

The decision to deploy the technology follows a surge in asylum applications and an increase in the number of migrants arriving in the UK via small boats. In the year ending June 2025, the country recorded 111,084 asylum claims, marking a 14% rise from the previous year. During the year ending March 2026, over 6,400 individuals who claimed to be children were subjected to age assessments at the border, with 43% ultimately classified as adults. These figures highlight the growing concern over the accuracy of age determination in asylum cases.

Human Rights Concerns

Despite the government’s confidence in the AI system, human rights organizations have raised alarms about its potential impact on asylum seekers. Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the plan as a “deeply flawed approach” to evaluating child refugees, warning that the technology could strip vulnerable children of their legal protections. Anna Bacciarelli, a senior AI researcher at HRW, emphasized that the system is still in its early stages and lacks sufficient validation. “There is no ethical way to move forward with these plans,” she said. “We don’t actually know if facial age estimation works, and using it on children could be cruel and unconscionable.”

“Experimenting with unproven technology to determine whether or not a child should be granted protections they desperately need and are legally entitled to is cruel and unconscionable,” Bacciarelli added. “It subjects vulnerable children to a dehumanising process that undermines their human rights.”

The report by the UK government’s independent immigration inspector last year revealed inconsistencies in age assessments. Cases were documented where adults were mistakenly categorized as children and vice versa. The inspector noted that without a “foolproof” method, errors in age determination are inevitable. These mistakes can have serious consequences, as children denied proper support may face harsher treatment or be separated from their families.

Testing and Implementation

The AI system has already been tested on a diverse range of individuals, including those from different ethnic backgrounds and genders, to ensure its adaptability. The Home Office confirmed that the technology is integrated into its operational system but has not yet been used to make final decisions. Instead, it serves as a supplementary resource for officers. The next phase will involve trialing the tool on live cases at Western Jet Foil, a processing center in Dover. This trial is expected to begin next year, before the full rollout in mid-2027.

The contract for the AI system was awarded to Akhter Computers Ltd, a Harlow-based IT supplier. The three-year agreement will cost £322,000, with the primary goal of refining the technology and ensuring its reliability. The Home Office highlighted that the AI tool is the “most cost-effective option” for age assessment, a claim that has sparked debate among rights groups. Critics argue that the cost of implementation does not outweigh the risks of misidentifying children, particularly in a system already strained by high numbers of asylum seekers.

Ministerial Support and Systemic Challenges

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, defended the use of AI, stating that adults “making false age claims” have exploited the system, diverting resources away from those in genuine need. “That is why we are rolling out AI technology to put a stop to this,” Norris said. “It will ensure those who game the system are identified, detained, and removed without delay, while those who deserve support are given it.” His comments underscore the government’s priority of reducing asylum fraud, even at the expense of streamlining processes for children.

“Adult migrants have exploited the system and diverted vital support away from children at risk,” Norris explained. “This technology will help us target those who are not eligible for asylum and ensure the right support reaches the right people.”

However, the system’s reliance on facial recognition raises questions about its fairness and accuracy. HRW pointed out that the tool has primarily been used in commercial settings, such as shops and bars, rather than in asylum processing. They argue that applying it to children without rigorous testing could lead to unjust outcomes. “Facial age estimation is not yet a proven method,” Bacciarelli said. “Its use in refugee centers could result in children being wrongly denied their rights simply because of an algorithm’s calculation.”

The challenge of determining a child’s age is compounded by the diversity of the asylum-seeking population. Officers must assess individuals from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, often with limited time and resources. AI is seen as a potential solution to this complexity, but its deployment also introduces new uncertainties. While the technology may improve speed, it could also increase the risk of misjudgment, particularly for children with ambiguous facial features or those who have been in the UK for extended periods.

Broader Implications for Asylum Policy

The introduction of AI age verification reflects a broader trend in the UK’s approach to asylum processing. With over 111,000 asylum claims in the year ending June 2025, the government is under pressure to streamline procedures and reduce delays. The system aims to address the growing issue of adults masquerading as children, which has been a significant problem in recent years. However, critics warn that this could lead to a dehumanizing process, where children are reduced to data points for an algorithm to evaluate.

As the technology moves toward implementation, its effectiveness will be closely monitored. While the Home Office asserts that the AI tool will “game the system,” others remain skeptical about its ability to protect the most vulnerable. The trial at Western Jet Foil will be a critical test of the system’s reliability, but it may not fully address concerns about bias or error. HRW has called for a pause in the rollout, advocating for more transparency and thorough testing before the system is used on children. The debate over AI in asylum assessments highlights the tension between efficiency and ethical responsibility in border management.

In conclusion, the UK’s decision to use AI for age verification marks a significant shift in asylum procedures. While the government frames the tool as a necessary innovation to combat fraud, human rights groups emphasize its potential to harm children. The success of the program will depend on its ability to balance speed with accuracy, ensuring that the most vulnerable are not unfairly judged by a system still in its early stages. As the technology prepares for its debut next year, the question remains: can an algorithm truly safeguard the rights of those it is meant to protect?