8 hours agoBritain stiffens asylum checks, artificial intelligence will assess immigrant age
Periskopi(a month ago)
(a month ago)The UK will begin using artificial intelligence to assess the age of asylum seekers, in an effort to identify adults who appear as minors during asylum procedures.
The initiative is expected to be implemented by next year, but has sparked criticism from human rights organisations and social services professionals.
According to the British Interior Ministry, new technology will analyse photos taken during the immigrant registration process, helping border officers determine whether people who claim to be under 18 are actually adults, writes A2 CNN.
The system was developed under a contract worth 322 thousand pounds (about $432,000), given to the Akhter Computers technology company. Authorities have announced that technology will undergo further testing before fully operating in mid-2027.
The British government stresses that preliminary results have shown “performance and promising accuracy”, arguing the system will help prevent abuses of asylum procedures.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, stated that several adult migrants have taken advantage of the system falsely claiming to be minor, which he said influenced the distribution of resources and support for children who really need protection.
Tests on the ground are expected to take place next year at the Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover. Currently, officials conduct age assessments based on the submitted documentation, physical appearance and individual interviews.
