The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has recently launched a public consultation on its new ‘Responsible use of AI 1st Edition’ Professional Standard, addressing the use of AI in the surveying profession. Josh Siddons (Senior Surveyor, Glenny Valuation Team), notes that the development of these guidelines is a necessary step to promote the ethical, competent, and risk-aware use of AI within surveying practices by RICS members and regulated firms.
The Professional Standard, once introduced, will be mandatory for all RICS members globally and apply to any surveyor incorporating AI into their work. While AI offers significant benefits to the industry, it also presents risks, including potential biases and errors in outputs. Surveyors are required to understand the various types of AI, their limitations, and the associated risks to avoid negative impacts on their services.
Key elements include the management of AI within a workplace the management of AI within a workplace, adherence to local laws, and the secure handling of private information. Professionals must also validate AI results, inform clients about its use, and ensure clear documentation of potential risks. Furthermore, ethical development of AI is emphasized, encouraging firms to test for fairness, transparency, and bias.
These guidelines will be a step forward in fostering trust and accountability in the use of AI, ensuring that clients are protected while benefiting from innovative advancements in surveying technology.
The public consultation is open until 29 April 2025: https://consultations.rics.org/connect.ti/AIstandard
For further information please contact Josh Siddons, Paul Aylott or Scott Hubbard.
