AI will be used to estimate age of asylum seekers from next year

The UK Home Office will deploy an AI age estimation tool at its borders from mid-2027 to identify adult migrants falsely claiming to be children, using facial photograph analysis. The technology comes after recent data showed 43% of over 6,400 migrants assessed at the border in 2026 were found to be adults, though Human Rights Watch has criticized it as "unproven technology" that could harm vulnerable children's legal protections. The £322,000 contract has been awarded to Harlow-based IT supplier Akhter Computers Ltd for further testing and development.