The UK government will soon introduce AI age verification to prevent adult migrants from falsely claiming to be children. New facial recognition technology, already used by banks and online retailers, will assess the age of asylum seekers at the border.
A recent report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration revealed major flaws in age assessments. In one sample, 22 out of 38 migrants initially classified as adults were later deemed under 18 by local authorities. Conversely, many adults have successfully posed as children to gain asylum advantages.
Border Security Minister Angela Eagle said the AI age verification system, trained on millions of facial images, will provide faster and more accurate estimates.
The technology, similar to tools used for online age checks on restricted goods, analyzes facial features to estimate age. The Home Office will begin trials ahead of a full rollout in 2026.
However, critics warn of ethical concerns. Refugee Council CEO Enver Solomon questioned the accuracy and fairness of AI age verification, citing risks of misidentifying vulnerable children.
The inspector’s report highlighted dangerous mistakes, such as children wrongly placed with adults and vice versa. One case involved a migrant assessed as 22 due to a “deep voice” and “thick stubble” later found to be a minor. Poor documentation and language barriers further complicate assessments.
The government has pledged better training for officers and improved processes. But with small boat arrivals still high, the pressure is on to implement reliable solutions quickly. If successful, AI age verification could become a key tool in maintaining both border security and child welfare.
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