Responsible use of artificial intelligence in surveying

Set to take effect in March 2026, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) introduces the professional standard on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice, detailing important requirements and best practice.

A common theme in recent discussions with PI insurers is how firms are utilising AI and embedding it into their daily activities, particularly where it extends to supporting delivery of professional services and advice.

AI is increasingly being adopted to support professional service delivery, and this new RICS standard is timely, providing important key requirements for when AI outputs may materially influence service outcomes.

One of the most notable requirements is the need for firms to maintain a risk register for AI-related risks i.e. biases, errors and inaccuracies.

A risk register is defined in the standard as a register that documents all identified risks facing an organisation and will typically include:

• a description of each risk
• its likelihood of materialising and its likely impact
• plans to mitigate and manage the risk
• risk appetite of the firm and
• regular updates to the status and progress of risk management

Implementing a risk register will help firms identify and assess the potential risks associated with the delivery of services supported by AI. It also means that firms will be able to track progress with mitigation strategies and for risk ratings to be applied for each identified risk.

As the standard highlights, documenting risks in this way can help ensure legal and regulatory compliance, prevent financial loss, avoid reputational damage and support good decision making. Furthermore, the ability for firms to clearly articulate how risks are being  identified and managed is a crucial part of firm wide adoption of risk management and compliance.

Terms of engagement and client communication

It is often said about how important the terms of engagement are between a professional services firm and its client. In the RICS Guidance Note; Risk Liability & Insurance, there are several pointers on how it should be used, including to identify and confirm the address of properties involved in the instruction, the scope of work being undertaken, the level of fee and importantly, any limitations of liability being proposed associated with the work being carried out. This is to help try and balance the risk and reward, by setting clear expectations with the client and to help avoidable disputes.

Carefully drafted engagement terms act as a first line of defence in the event of a claim, and transparency around the use of AI will now be important to include.

As the standard sets out, the disclosure of key information about the use of AI should help clients to understand where, how and why it is being used. Firms that use AI associated with the delivery of services must therefore make clear to clients in writing and in advance of using those AI systems and when and for what purpose AI is to be used. This is not an exhaustive list and it is important that firms take into account the further requirements detailed in the new standard.

Professional judgement still counts

The use of AI doesn't replace the duty for professionals to apply professional judgement. Your knowledge, skills, experience and professional judgement must continue to be applied in all cases where advice and guidance are being provided.

In the same way that surveyors support a valuation with market comparable evidence, the accuracy of those comparables is determined by applying professional scepticism along with sound judgement about each one’s suitability. A rationale explaining the basis of each comparable's appropriateness is documented and, together with other process outputs, it all forms part of an audit trail to support the file and, if needed, the defence to any claim in the future.

Firms should apply this same rule to the use AI. Over reliance on AI, without professional judgement being applied, could easily lead to an unidentified error and result in incorrect advice being provided to the client, with losses being incurred.

If you would like to discuss this topic further and understand the implications for your firm, please contact the team: [email protected]