AI Age Detection Risks Child Refugees Being Treated as Adults 2026

AI-powered age-detection systems introduced by the British government could lead to more child refugees being treated as adults, a charity warns. The flawed and racialised models underpinning this technology endanger vulnerable children, particularly those arriving from conflict zones.

How AI Age-Estimation Works and Why It Fails

The UK Home Office has contracted Cognitec, a German firm, to deploy facial age-estimation technology at borders. This AI analyzes facial features to predict a person's age, but studies show it has significant error margins—up to 30 months even in the best systems.

Critics argue that such inaccuracies are unacceptable when determining the fate of minors. Maddie Harris of the Humans for Rights Network explains that the AI is a "cheap process" that fails to protect children, instead reinforcing flawed decisions made by immigration officers.

Racial Bias in Age-Detection Algorithms

Research reveals that the system shows bias against sub-Saharan Africans, often overpredicting ages of minors from countries like Sudan and Somalia. This "adultification" means Black children are more likely to be misclassified as adults, stripping them of legal protections.

As a result, these children face detention, removal, and placement in adult accommodation, exposing them to violence and abuse. The Helen Bamber Foundation reported that 755 children were incorrectly identified as adults in 2025 alone.

Consequences of Misclassification

When a child is treated as an adult, they lose access to safeguarding measures and are subjected to the same harsh policies as adults. This includes being housed with strangers, risking their physical and mental well-being.

Harris emphasizes that the AI system does not improve accuracy but rather "shores up" decisions that are already biased. The government's own admission of a 30-month margin of error highlights the danger of relying on such technology.

Comparison of Age-Detection Methods

Key Takeaways for Advocates and Policymakers

• AI age-detection is unreliable and disproportionately misclassifies Black children.
• Misclassification leads to severe harms, including detention and unsafe accommodation.
• Human rights organizations urge reversal of the AI contract and investment in child-centered assessments.
• Transparency and independent oversight are needed for any age-assessment technology.

What Can Be Done to Protect Child Refugees

Advocates call for the immediate suspension of AI age-estimation until rigorous, unbiased testing is conducted. They also recommend using a holistic approach that includes interviews, documentation, and medical assessments by trained professionals.

Ministers must listen to charities and rights groups to ensure no child is wrongly pushed into the adult system. The focus should be on safeguarding, not on cost-cutting technology that endangers lives.

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