Facial age estimation

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Facial age estimation is the use of artificial intelligence to estimate the age of a person based on their facial features. Computer vision techniques are used to analyse the facial features in the images of millions of people whose age is known and then deep learning is used to create an algorithm that tries to predict the age of an unknown person. [1] The key use of the technology is to prevent access to age-restricted goods and services. Examples include restricting children from accessing Internet pornography, [2] checking that they meet a mandatory minimum age when registering for an account on social media, or preventing adults from accessing websites, online chat or games designed only for use by children.

Contents

The technology is distinct from facial recognition systems as the software does not attempt to uniquely identify the individual. [3]

Researchers have applied neural networks for age estimation since at least 2010. [4]

Evaluation

An ongoing study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology entitled 'Face Analysis Technology Evaluation' seeks to establish the technical performance of prototype age estimation algorithms submitted by academic teams and software vendors including Brno University of Technology, Czech Technical University in Prague, Dermalog, IDEMIA, Incode Technologies Inc, Jumio, Nominder, Rank One Computing, Unissey and Yoti. [5]

Commercial use

Commercial users of facial age estimation include Instagram and OnlyFans. [6] In January 2025, John Lewis & Partners announced that had started using the technology to check the age of people shopping for knives on its website, to comply with UK legislation to limit knife crime. [7]

In the UK, several supermarket chains have taken part in Home Office trials of the technology to automate the checking of a customer's age when buying age-restricted goods such as alcohol. [8] [9] UK legislation introduced in January 2025 mandates robust forms of age verification hosting adult content viewable in the UK by July 2025. Allowable methods include facial age estimation. [10]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Bekhouche, Salah Eddine; Benlamoudi, Azeddine; Dornaika, Fadi; Telli, Hichem; Bounab, Yazid (January 14, 2024). "Facial Age Estimation Using Multi-Stage Deep Neural Networks". Electronics . 13 (16): 3259. doi: 10.3390/electronics13163259 .
  2. ↑ "Contrôle de l'âge pour l'accès aux sites pornographiques" [Age control for access to pornographic sites]. Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés .
  3. ↑ "How facial age-estimation tech can help protect children's privacy for COPPA and beyond". International Association of Privacy Professionals .
  4. ↑ Punyani, Prachi; Gupta, Rashmi; Kumar, Ashwani (June 1, 2020). "Neural networks for facial age estimation: a survey on recent advances". Artificial Intelligence Review. 53 (5): 3299–3347. doi:10.1007/s10462-019-09765-w – via Springer Link.
  5. ↑ "Face Analysis Technology Evaluation (FATE) Age Estimation & Verification". National Institute of Standards and Technology . Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  6. ↑ "How facial age estimation is creating age-appropriate experiences". THINK Digital Partners. July 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ Sellman, Mark (2025-01-20). "John Lewis introduces AI age checks to sell knives online". The Times . Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  8. ↑ "Supermarket cameras to guess age of alcohol buyers". BBC News . 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  9. ↑ Hymas, Charles (2024-01-24). "AI face-scanning technology to be rolled out at supermarkets to check age of shoppers". The Telegraph . ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  10. ↑ "All porn sites must 'robustly' verify UK user ages by July". BBC News . 16 January 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-17.
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