AI-powered age-detection systems introduced by the British government may lead to more child refugees being treated as adults, a charity warns. This flawed and racialised technology could endanger vulnerable children from conflict zones, pushing them into the adult asylum system where they face detention and removal.
How AI Age-Detection Works and Why It's Flawed
The Home Office plans to use facial age-estimation technology developed by Cognitec, a German firm, to screen migrants upon arrival. This AI system analyzes facial features to estimate a person's age, but it has significant margins of error and known biases.
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According to the government's own admission, even the best systems can have a 30-month margin of error. This means a child could be misjudged as an adult by up to two and a half years, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Racial Bias in Age Estimation
Studies show that the technology tends to overpredict the ages of sub-Saharan Africans, meaning children from countries like Sudan and Somalia are more likely to be incorrectly classified as adults. This racial bias exacerbates existing inequalities in the asylum process.
Maddie Harris of the Humans for Rights Network stated that children from these regions are already "adultified" by the system, and AI will only reinforce this harmful trend.
Impact on Children's Safety and Well-being
When a child is treated as an adult, they are exposed to severe risks, including detention in adult facilities, removal from the UK, and placement in accommodation alongside unrelated adults. This increases their vulnerability to violence and exploitation, especially amid rising protests targeting asylum seeker housing.
In May 2025, the Helen Bamber Foundation revealed that 755 children were incorrectly identified as adults on arrival to the UK, according to Home Office figures. Critics argue that AI will not improve these numbers but will only "shore up" flawed decisions.
Charities Urge Government to Reverse Plans
Rights groups and children's charities are urging ministers to reverse the introduction of AI age-estimation, calling it a "cheap process" that prioritizes cost over child protection. They emphasize that human assessment, despite its flaws, is more accurate and compassionate.
Harris warned that the AI system is not about protecting children but about legitimizing the authorities' decisions, even when they are wrong.
Comparison of Age Assessment Methods
| Method | Accuracy | Bias Risk | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Interview | Moderate | Low to moderate | High |
| X-ray (wrist/dental) | High but invasive | Moderate | High |
| AI Facial Analysis | Low (30-month error) | High (racial bias) | Low |
As shown, AI is the least accurate and most biased method, yet it is being adopted for its low cost.
Key Takeaways
- AI age-detection has a 30-month margin of error, risking child misclassification.
- Racial bias causes overprediction of age for sub-Saharan African children.
- Misclassified children face detention, removal, and unsafe accommodation.
- Charities urge reversal of the policy to protect child refugees.
FAQ
What is AI age-detection technology?
Why is AI age-detection biased against African children?
What are the consequences for child refugees misclassified as adults?
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