Human Rights Watch publishes statement use of AI in age assessments
Human Rights Watch has published a statement raising concerns about the UK government’s plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition technology to assess the age of asylum-seeking children. The government announced on 22 July 2025 that it intends to pilot the technology in 2026, citing cost-efficiency as a key factor. Human Rights Watch notes that facial age estimation tools have not been independently validated for use in immigration contexts and may not reliably account for the physical effects of trauma, malnutrition, and stress, which can influence a child’s appearance. The organisation highlights the potential consequences of misclassification, including denial of protections afforded to minors.