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How old are these famous Canadians? We asked a computer to guess

By now, you've probably heard about How-old.net, everyone's favourite new Internet toy. Built by Microsoft, in analyzes any picture you upload, picks out faces and then tries to guess the age and gender of the people it finds.

The technology may be advanced if you're into coding, you may find this interesting but the end product is fairly simple. Upload a headshot, cross your fingers and hope a robot doesn't tell you you look 10 years older than you really are. (The 28-year-old author of this post was either 24 or 35, depending on whether he was smiling in the picture.)

It didn't take long to realize that the real fun to be had was not with your own photos, but with other people's. Namely, famous people. So we grabbed pictures of some of the most recognizable Canadians in the world and tested Microsoft's fancy algorithm. The results are below.

Oh, and Ryan Gosling's only 34, but he probably won't be too broken up about this.

(Photos via The Canadian Press / Getty Images / YouTube)

Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper (via CP)
Stephen Harper (via CP)

Actual age: 56

The Prime Minister apparently looks especially youthful when delivering policy lectures. Or maybe the algorithm's just being nice because it's the day after his birthday.

Justin Trudeau

Actual age: 43

Well this can't come as that much of a surprise.

Thomas Mulcair

Actual age: 60

To be fair to Mr. Mulcair, a few years of shouting in Question Period as the leader of the Opposition is going to add a couple lines to your face, and possibly shave a few years off your life.

Jim Carrey

Actual age: 53

The "rubberfaced" comedian and actor is apparently something of a babyface.

Pamela Anderson

Actual age: 47

Even when dying her hair almost white, the former Baywatch star still doesn't look over the hill. (According to a robot.)

Celine Dion and René Angelil

Actual age in this photo: 45 (Dion), 71 (Angélil)

How-old.net is almost right on with the Quebec singer, but rather mean to her long-time husband and former manager, honestly.

Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne and the blurry face of a MuchMusic Video Award attendee

Actual age in this photo: 39 (Kroeger), 28 (Avril), unknown (blurry fan)

Maybe the headband covered in spikes made the algorithm think Avril was a witch? Otherwise...

Recently-arrested Justin Bieber

Actual age in this photo: 20

Cheer up, Biebs. You're young.