Professional Bodies' Attitudes Towards AI in Construction

Professional bodies in the construction, engineering, planning and architectural sectors are adopting measured support for AI, recognizing its potential while emphasizing ethical use, regulatory compliance, and professional accountability. Below is an overview of key institutions and their stance on AI adoption in construction.

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Encouraging AI in design: Supports AI for automating planning applications, optimizing sustainability, and enhancing design efficiency.

Ethical Concerns: Focus on data transparency, AI’s role in creative processes, and professional liability when AI-generated designs are used. • Guidance Development: RIBA has published some guidance on AI in architecture, but more comprehensive policies are still emerging.

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

Advocating AI for infrastructure projects: Supports AI in predictive maintenance, smart materials, and digital twins for infrastructure planning. •

Focus on upskilling: Promotes training programs for civil engineers to adapt to AI-driven workflows.

Standardization Efforts: Collaborates with BSI (British Standards Institution) to develop AI-related guidelines.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

AI in valuation & project cost estimation: Recognizes AI’s role in enhancing real estate market predictions, risk assessment, and contract management.

AI & Ethics in Surveying: RICS is monitoring AI’s impact on surveyor roles and ensuring AI-based valuation tools meet red book global valuation standards.

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

Support for AI in urban planning: Encourages AI’s use in predictive modelling, public consultation analysis, and geospatial mapping.

Ethical Concerns: Advocates for AI transparency and public trust to prevent bias in land-use decisions.

Regulatory Perspective: Calls for policy frameworks ensuring AI complements rather than replaces professional judgment in planning applications.

Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)

 AI for sustainable planning: Supports AI in climate adaptation, green infrastructure planning, and flood risk mapping.

Public engagement & AI: Stresses the need for inclusive, explainable AI models that do not exclude local communities from planning decisions.

Regulatory Position: Believes AI should remain an advisory tool, with final planning decisions kept under human control.

Key Challenges & Outlook in AI Planning Regulatory & Ethical Concerns

Bias in AI-driven planning: Risk of reinforcing historical inequalities in the mix of land use distribution, housing, and public infrastructure.

Liability & decision-making: Unclear who is responsible when AI-generated planning recommendations lead to disputes or failures.

AI in public engagement: Risk that AI-driven tools replace rather than enhance community involvement in planning.

AI’s Role in Planning Policy, AI for real-time land use monitoring: Increasing use of AI in satellite imaging, GIS, and environmental assessments.

AI in planning applications: Some authorities are testing AI for automated compliance checks on planning submissions.

Integration with BIM & Digital Twins: Planning bodies are considering AI-driven 3D city modelling to simulate urban growth and infrastructure needs.

Conclusion

Most construction professional bodies support AI adoption but advocate for careful regulation, ethical use, and human oversight. They recognize AI’s potential but also stress liability, risk management, and upskilling to ensure AI enhances rather than replaces professional expertise.