In the first policy brief published under the AFAR Project, Principal Investigator Dr. Derya Ozkul provides a comprehensive overview of new technologies used in migration and asylum systems in Europe while cautioning against the risks posed by the very systems.
Integrating new technologies into migration and asylum systems could improve the speed of decision-making for some state authorities. However, this approach also poses considerable risks, including bias, discrimination, arbitrariness, and the systemic exclusion of already vulnerable populations. This policy brief argues that the application of these technologies often lacks transparency and accountability, making it nearly impossible for migrants, including asylum seekers and refugees, to understand the processes that shape their futures. This opacity also hinders their ability to challenge decisions and seek redress for any errors or biases they may encounter. Many new technologies used in administrative processes prioritise state interests, frequently at the expense of migrants’ rights and needs.
The 4-year Algorithmic Fairness for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (AFAR) is a collaborative research project hosted at the Centre from 2021 to 2025. Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation through its “Challenges for Europe” funding programme, the project includes five other institutions across Europe, aiming to explore the fairness of automation in the highly contested field of migration and asylum governance.
