UK to use AI for age checks on asylum seekers despite ethical concerns
The UK government is introducing an AI tool to estimate the age of asylum seekers at the border. The system will analyse facial features to determine whether individuals claiming to be children are actually adults. Officials argue the move will prevent exploitation of the system, but critics warn of serious risks to vulnerable migrants. The new technology, developed by Akhter Computers Ltd under a £322,000 contract, is set for a three-year trial. Testing will begin next year at Western Jet Foil, a processing centre in Dover, with full implementation expected by mid-2027. The tool aims to assist border officers in cases where age is disputed, as children receive greater legal protections than adults.
In the year ending March 2026, over 6,400 migrants claiming to be children underwent age assessments at the border. Of these, 43% were later confirmed to be adults. Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris stated that adult migrants have been exploiting the system, diverting resources away from genuine child asylum seekers.
However, the plan has faced strong opposition. Human Rights Watch researcher Anna Bacciarelli argued there is no proven evidence that facial age estimation works in refugee processing. The British Association of Social Workers also warned of potential 'major safeguarding mistakes,' insisting that trained social workers—not AI—should conduct age assessments.
Errors in the system could have severe consequences. Vulnerable adults might be placed in children’s care, while actual minors could be wrongly sent to adult accommodation or detention. This would deny them the legal support they are entitled to.
The move comes as asylum claims rise sharply. In the year ending June 2025, 111,084 people sought asylum in the UK—a 14% increase from the previous year. The government maintains the AI tool will improve accuracy in age assessments and protect resources for genuine child asylum seekers. Trials will begin in Dover next year, with a full rollout planned for 2027. Critics, however, stress that flawed technology could put young migrants at risk and undermine safeguarding standards.
