London: The UK will employ artificial intelligence to estimate the age of asylum seekers beginning next year, in an effort to identify adults posing as children at the border, but the move has sparked criticism from rights groups and social workers.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Home Office has announced that the facial age-estimation technology will analyze photographs taken during processing to help officers assess whether migrants claiming to be under 18 are actually adults. This system, developed under a £322,000 ($432,000) contract awarded to IT supplier Akhter Computers, is set to undergo further testing before a planned rollout in mid-2027.

The government asserts that early trials of the technology show 'promising performance and accuracy.' Officials argue that the tool will help prevent the abuse of the asylum system, with Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris stating that adult migrants making false age claims have 'exploited the system and diverted vital support away from children at risk.'

The system is expected to be trialed in live cases at the Western Jet Foil processing center in Dover next year, where officials currently conduct age checks using documents, appearance, and interviews. However, the plan has raised concerns from human rights organizations and professional bodies. Human Rights Watch has warned that the approach is unproven and may undermine protections for vulnerable children.

This initiative coincides with findings from a government inspection report that called for improved training, better data sharing, and stronger engagement with external stakeholders in the Home Office's age assessment system. The report also cautioned that current processes can lead to adults being treated as children and vice versa, creating 'significant' safeguarding risks.