The UK government is pushing ahead with plans to introduce artificial intelligence technology at the border to help identify asylum seekers falsely claiming to be children.The system, expected to be launched in 2027, will estimate a person’s age by analyzing facial photos taken during immigration checks. Officials said the technology is designed to support existing age assessment procedures and improve the identification of adults claiming to be minors, the BBC reported.The Home Office has awarded a contract to Harlow-based Akhter Computers Ltd to further develop and test the software before deployment.The move comes amid concerns over the accuracy of age assessments for unaccompanied migrants. Government figures show more than 6,400 people claiming to be children were age-assessed in the year to March 2026, with 43 per cent later identified as adults.Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris said adults posing as children diverted resources away from people who truly needed protection.“That’s why we are rolling out artificial intelligence technology to stop this, ensuring those who game the system are immediately identified, detained and deported,” Norris was quoted as saying by the BBC.The project is expected to cost £322,000 over three years.The Home Office said early trials of the artificial intelligence system showed encouraging accuracy and further testing was planned before introducing the technology at UK border points.
