UK border officials to use AI to verify ages of child asylum seekers
Guardian3 days
UK to Introduce AI Age Checks for Asylum Seekers
Above: Migrants depart by boat from Petit-Fort-Philippe Beach, France, and head towards the U.K. on Jan. 17, 2025. Image copyright: Joanna Chichelnitzky/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Techno-optimist narrative
AI technology represents a practical, cost-effective solution to the asylum assessment problem. Current methods are clearly failing, while new technology offers rapid, objective analysis without invasive medical procedures. This will help protect genuine child refugees, prevent system abuse that undermines public confidence in immigration controls, and boost public sector productivity.
Techno-skeptic narrative
Replacing an ineffective age assessment process with AI facial recognition isn't progress, it's swapping one problem for another. AI can be even more biased than humans, placing the future of thousands of vulnerable adults and children into uncertainty. Funding must instead be placed towards better training and support towards social workers, who have the emotional nuance to judge these delicate situations.