Prospects and Problems in the Application of AI in Refugee Status Determination Procedures

This article analyzes the promising exertion of artificial intelligence (AI) in international human rights law area, in particular, in the refugee status determination (RSD) procedures by the UNHCR and the migration services of states. The essential issues of possibility of applying AI in legal procedures by the party making decisions on granting refugee status, as well as by the asylum seeker himself, are considered. The scope for using AI as a means of optimizing decision-making, preventing typical mistakes, as well as an additional remedy to respect the interests of the applicant, is considered. Problematic issues have been raised that require additional discussion and amendments to the legislative acts of States and international treaties for the early introduction of the possibility of AI widespread application in the legal procedures under consideration, both in the interests of UNHCR and the States providing asylum, and in order to insure the virtual protection of asylum seekers’ rights. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.