The UK government plans to begin using artificial intelligence to estimate the age of asylum seekers who claim to be minors, introducing facial age-assessment technology as part of efforts to identify adults allegedly posing as children within the asylum system.
The initiative is being developed through a £322,000 government contract awarded to IT supplier Akhter Computers. Under the project, AI software will analyse facial photographs taken at border processing centres and generate an estimated age for individuals whose identity documents are missing, unavailable, or disputed.
According to the Home Office, the technology is intended to support existing age-assessment procedures rather than replace them. Officials say the tool could help immigration authorities identify adults attempting to enter child protection systems designed for unaccompanied minors.
The policy comes amid ongoing debate over age disputes involving migrants arriving in the UK, particularly those crossing the English Channel by small boat. Home Office data shows thousands of asylum seekers claiming to be under 18 have undergone age assessments in recent years, with a significant portion later determined to be adults.
Government officials argue the technology could make assessments faster and more consistent. Border Security Minister Alex Norris said adults making false age claims can divert resources away from vulnerable children who require protection and support.
However, the proposal has triggered criticism from refugee organisations, child protection groups, and privacy advocates. More than 100 organisations supporting refugee children have warned that AI systems may struggle to accurately estimate age for asylum seekers who have experienced trauma, malnutrition, conflict, or difficult migration journeys that can affect physical appearance.
Critics also argue that facial age estimation technology remains imperfect and could produce serious errors. Advocacy groups warn that children incorrectly classified as adults could be placed in adult accommodation, detention facilities, or prisons, potentially exposing them to significant safeguarding risks.
The concerns are reinforced by existing disputes over age assessment outcomes. Recent Home Office figures show that immigration officers and local authority social workers often reach different conclusions when evaluating asylum seekers whose ages are questioned. Social worker assessments have frequently determined individuals to be minors after initial border evaluations classified them as adults.
The UK government says final decisions will continue to be made by trained immigration officials and that the AI system will undergo additional testing and evaluation before nationwide deployment, which is currently planned for 2027. Officials describe the technology as an additional tool rather than a fully automated decision-making system.