AI will be used to estimate age of asylum seekers from next year
The UK plans to implement an AI tool to estimate the ages of asylum seekers starting next year. This technology aims to identify adult migrants falsely claiming to be children, following a rise in asylum claims. Human Rights Watch has criticized the initiative, labeling it as unproven and potentially harmful to vulnerable children.
- ▪The AI age estimation tool will analyze photographs of migrants at the border.
- ▪In the year ending March 2026, 43% of migrants claiming to be children were found to be adults.
- ▪The contract for the AI technology development is worth £322,000 over three years.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
AI will be used to estimate age of asylum seekers from next yearImage source, PA MediaByJoshua NevettPolitical reporterPublished29 May 2026, 00:05 BSTUpdated 8 hours agoAn Artificial Intelligence (AI) age estimation tool that aims to detect adult migrants posing as children will be deployed at the UK's borders next year.A software company has been awarded a contract to develop and test the technology, which will estimate a person's age by analysing photographs of them taken at the border.The Home Office says the technology will make it easier to identify adult migrants "attempting to game the system", after initial testing indicated "promising performance and accuracy".But Human Rights Watch urged the government to scrap the scheme, describing it as "unproven technology" that will…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at BBC News.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from BBC News
