The Home Office has deployed an AI system, Identify and Prioritise Immigration Cases (IPIC), for managing immigration enforcement decisions, including actions against asylum seekers.

Critics, including campaign groups and Privacy International, warn that this AI tool might overly simplify decisions that could profoundly affect migrants' lives.

The system utilizes personal data, such as biometric and criminal records, to recommend enforcement actions, including deportations.

While the government insists that humans oversee each decision, concerns persist that officials may default to accepting the algorithm's suggestions without due scrutiny.

Critics argue this poses risks of unjust decisions, potential biases, and privacy invasions, as was revealed by documents obtained by Privacy International through a freedom of information request.

Calls for transparency and accountability in AI usage within public services have been echoed by officials like Secretary of State for Science, Peter Kyle, who acknowledges AI's transformative potential, but stresses the need for public trust.

The Home Office maintains that the tool is a 'rules-based workflow' aimed at efficient case management.

However, migrant rights advocates, such as Fizza Qureshi of the Migrants’ Rights Network, fear increased data sharing and racial biases.

The concerns are exacerbated by the opaque nature of the system and recent legislative proposals that may permit broader use of automated decision-making.

Experts like Madeleine Sumption from the University of Oxford suggest that while AI could improve decision-making efficiency, greater transparency is crucial to prevent potential injustices.