Today, on AI Appreciation Day, we at Serve Legal are taking a moment to reflect on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence across various industries. Over the past few years, we've dedicated significant time to researching how AI will specifically support, challenge, and reshape the sectors we serve, particularly in the realm of compliance and age verification.
This commitment has included a vast amount of dedicated time to researching as well as working with leading academic institutions. Serve Legal has spent the last couple of years collaborating with the incredible academics of Durham University. This partnership has been especially instrumental in refining our Challenge 25 Certification, ensuring our age estimation testing thresholds are fair and accurate, and preventing both underage misclassification and unnecessary false alarms. For further details on this service, head over to the Serve Legal Labs website.
We stand on the cusp of a new era for age verification in the UK, driven by remarkable advancements in technology, and especially, artificial intelligence.
Consider the integration of Digital ID.
While Digital ID solutions themselves are not solely AI-powered, they frequently incorporate AI technologies such as biometric verification. The upcoming alcohol licensing legislation in 2025, which will permit the use of Digital ID for age verification during alcohol sales, highlights this shift. This evolution opens exciting possibilities for streamlining transactions but also introduces new considerations as digital IDs become more prevalent in purchases.
The future of retail is undoubtedly a collaboration between human insight and technological innovation. AI and automation offer incredible potential, yet they cannot fully replace the invaluable contribution of well-trained staff and robust compliance processes. What we consistently observe is the immense promise that technology and AI bring to the retail space, coupled with the crucial understanding that the human touch remains incredibly necessary – particularly during the initial integration phases of these systems.
Consider the recent surge in shoplifting across the UK, and the concerning statistic that 37% of shoppers admit to stealing at self-checkouts. It's easy to look to AI as a panacea. Indeed, technological innovations like AI-powered CCTV systems, trolley-scanning solutions, and automated gates that tally purchases are becoming standard features in some supermarkets, aiming to deter theft and enhance the shopping experience. However, as highlighted by The Grocer, technology is not an indestructible solution. Retailers must exercise caution to avoid over-reliance on machines at the expense of comprehensive compliance and safety protocols.
The Government has also been explicit that Digital ID will not become mandatory for businesses or customers after the 2025 legislative changes. Businesses must be prepared to continue accepting physical forms of ID alongside the new Digital IDs. During this period of change, maintaining robust compliance standards, regardless of the proof of age presented, is paramount. We encourage all retailers to consider the implications of Digital ID thoughtfully and get in touch with our team if they have any areas of concern.
On a similar note, one of the most anticipated transformative changes in the coming years is the increasing deployment of Age Estimation technology at retail checkouts. While this innovation leverages facial biometrics embedded in the till transaction to estimate a shopper's age, reducing the need for physical documents or human intervention, the Government's latest update has confirmed that its legalisation for alcohol sales will not be a priority in 2025.
Unlike Digital ID, which aims to offers a mobile-based form of identification with the same authenticity as a passport or driver’s license, Age Estimation technology uses a camera to estimate a customer's age, notifying staff only when a challenge for proof of age is necessary.
Until the Government fully supports its use for alcohol purchases, many retailers are likely to delay investment. The operational shifts, costs, and training required for a system valid only for certain age-restricted items but not alcohol could cause confusion and friction. Our clients confirm that they will likely defer investment until this technology can be universally applied to all age-restricted products.
At Serve Legal, we are committed to helping businesses navigate these complexities. We are excited to announce our latest partnership with Ingenium and Beruku, launching an innovative advisory service to help retailers integrate Digital ID solutions. This support includes:
This partnership marks a significant stride in providing tailored, end-to-end support for businesses as they navigate the evolving landscape of digital ID and age verification compliance.
On AI Appreciation Day, we celebrate AI not as a replacement, but as an indispensable partner in building a more compliant, efficient, and secure future for retail and beyond. Its intelligent assistance allows us to uphold standards, protect consumers, and empower businesses to thrive in this new age of technology.
If you are interested in our latest partnership, get in touch with our team or head over to our LABS website!