The UK government is preparing to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI) age estimation system at its borders in a move aimed at identifying adult migrants falsely claiming to be children.
A software company has already been awarded a contract to develop and test the technology, which will estimate a person’s age by analysing photographs taken at border entry points.
According to the Home Office, the system is intended to help officials detect adult migrants “attempting to game the system” after early testing reportedly showed “promising performance and accuracy”.
However, the plan has sparked criticism from human rights organisations and social workers, who argue that the technology is unreliable and could put vulnerable children at risk.
Unaccompanied child migrants in the UK are typically placed under the care of local authorities rather than in standard asylum accommodation such as hotels. They are also entitled to additional legal protections that can affect how their asylum claims are handled.
The government’s decision comes amid continued pressure on the UK asylum system following years of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Official figures show that 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year ending June 2025, representing a 14 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Home Office data also revealed that more than 6,400 migrants claiming to be children were subjected to age assessments in the year ending March 2026, with 43 per cent later found to be adults.
A report by the UK government’s independent immigration inspector last year highlighted flaws in the current assessment process, identifying cases where adults were wrongly treated as children and others where minors were incorrectly classified as adults.
The report warned that in the absence of a completely reliable assessment method, errors were unavoidable and could result in children being denied the protections they are legally entitled to.
The government first announced plans to explore AI-powered facial age estimation technology last year as part of efforts to strengthen border controls.
This week, Harlow-based IT supplier Akhter Computers Ltd secured a £322,000 contract to further develop and test the system ahead of its planned rollout in mid-2027.
The technology is expected to undergo its first live trial on asylum seekers at the Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover next year.
Currently, border officials assess the ages of asylum seekers using documents, physical appearance and behavioural observations before referring disputed cases to social workers for further assessment.
The new AI tool is expected to serve as an additional support mechanism for border officers when a person’s age is unclear.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, defended the initiative, arguing that false age claims by adults divert support and resources away from vulnerable children.
“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,” he said.
The Home Office says testing has already been carried out using images from people of different ethnicities and genders, including individuals from asylum-seeking populations, although the technology has not yet been used in live decision-making.
Despite those assurances, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has raised concerns about the risks associated with relying on AI for such sensitive assessments.
Professor Sam Baron, interim chief executive of BASW, said determining the age of migrants is a complex safeguarding process best handled by trained professionals rather than artificial intelligence.
“This important task should not be open to shortcuts through artificial intelligence, especially as the pitfalls of getting it wrong can lead to major safeguarding risks,” he warned.
Human Rights Watch also criticised the government’s plans, calling the technology “deeply flawed” and unsuitable for determining whether children should receive legal protection.
Anna Bacciarelli, a senior AI researcher at the organisation, argued that there is still no clear evidence that facial age estimation technology works reliably in refugee settings.
“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,” she said.
She added that while similar technology has been used in commercial settings such as shops and bars, it has not been properly tested in refugee processing environments.