Insights into AI Use Across Traditional Industries

Responsible AI Use in Construction Consultancy

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday operations across professional industries.

In this series, we will explore how AI is being used across different sectors, how the risks and liabilities associated with AI change between industries, and why responsible governance is becoming increasingly important for organisations adopting AI tools.

Responsible AI use goes beyond the development of AI systems themselves.

The organisations using AI within real-world workflows also carry significant responsibility for how these tools are applied, monitored, and controlled.

This is particularly important in sectors such as construction, engineering, consultancy, and professional services, where errors, misinformation, or poor oversight can have legal, financial, regulatory, and safety implications.

As AI adoption accelerates, organisations must consider not only the opportunities AI creates, but also how they maintain accountability, oversight, and professional responsibility when AI forms part of service delivery.

AI Use Is Already Transforming Professional Services

Whether formally approved or not, AI tools are already being used across professional industries.

Staff are increasingly relying on generative AI for:

• drafting reports and correspondence

• summarising technical information

• preparing project documentation

• analysing contracts and data

• supporting bid and tender responses

• producing meeting notes and administrative outputs

• improving research and information retrieval

  
  

Used appropriately, these tools can significantly improve efficiency, consistency, and responsiveness across professional services.

In many cases, AI is allowing organisations to reduce administrative burden, improve turnaround times, and free up skilled professionals to focus on higher-value technical and strategic work.

The reality is that AI use is no longer a future issue. It is already becoming part of normal operational delivery.

Is There a Professional Obligation to Use AI?

As AI capabilities improve, an important question is beginning to emerge across professional industries:

Could organisations eventually be expected to use AI tools as part of competent service delivery?

Professional services have always evolved alongside technology.

From CAD software and BIM in construction, to digital modelling, automation, and advanced analytics across consultancy and engineering, organisations are generally expected to adopt tools that improve accuracy, efficiency, and service quality.

As AI tools mature, it is possible that failure to appropriately adopt available technology could itself become a point of challenge in certain circumstances.

Clients may increasingly expect consultants and professional advisers to make use of technologies that:

• improve efficiency

• reduce human error

• accelerate delivery

• improve analysis and decision support

This creates a difficult balance.

While unrestricted AI use introduces risks, outright refusal to use AI may also create commercial, operational, and potentially professional challenges over time.

The Risk of Attempting to Prohibit AI Entirely

Some organisations and clients may initially attempt to prohibit AI use entirely through professional services contracts or internal policy.

However, this may create unintended consequences.

If AI tools become widely recognised as standard operational tools within an industry, contractual restrictions preventing their use could potentially:

• reduce efficiency

• increase delivery costs

• limit innovation

• create competitive disadvantage

• shift certain risks back toward the client

  
  

In some cases, clients may ultimately benefit from the responsible use of AI where it improves service delivery, consistency, or project outcomes.

The issue is therefore not simply whether AI should be used.

The more important issue is whether it is being used responsibly and within appropriate governance controls.

The Risk to Professional Organisations

The use of AI introduces a number of significant risks if not properly governed.

These include:

• inaccurate or misleading outputs

• fabricated or hallucinated information

• inappropriate use of confidential or client data

• overreliance on AI-generated content

• lack of transparency around where AI has been used

• inconsistent use of AI across teams and projects

  
  

In construction and consultancy environments, these risks can quickly translate into:

• professional negligence exposure

• contractual disputes

• procurement concerns

• regulatory issues

• reputational damage

• client mistrust

Importantly, the use of AI does not remove professional responsibility.

A consultant, contractor, engineer, architect, or professional adviser remains accountable for the outputs they issue to clients, regardless of whether AI assisted in producing them.

Why Governance Matters

Many organisations are currently approaching AI informally.

Staff may be using publicly accessible AI tools without:

• defined policy

• approval processes

• data handling guidance

• oversight or review requirements

• visibility at management level

  
  

This creates uncertainty for both organisations and their clients.

A responsible AI governance framework helps organisations establish clear controls around:

• how AI may be used

• where AI should not be used

• how outputs are verified

• protection of sensitive information

• oversight and accountability

• transparency with clients and stakeholders

  
  

The goal is not to prevent innovation.

The goal is to ensure AI supports professional work without replacing professional judgement.

Increasing Procurement and Client Expectations

Public sector and regulated procurement environments are beginning to place greater focus on transparency and governance relating to AI use.

Clients increasingly want assurance that organisations:

• understand how AI is being used

• maintain oversight of outputs

• protect sensitive information

• apply appropriate governance controls

• retain accountability for professional work

  
  

For many organisations, the challenge is no longer internal adoption.

It is demonstrating to third parties that AI use is being managed responsibly.

Professional Bodies Are Beginning to Respond

Professional bodies are increasingly recognising that AI is becoming part of normal professional practice and that governance frameworks are required to manage associated risks.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) recently published its global professional standard on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice, which focuses on areas including:

• professional judgement and oversight

• governance and risk management

• verification of AI-generated outputs

• client transparency and communication

• protection of confidential information

  
  

The standard reflects a wider shift occurring across traditional industries.

AI is no longer being viewed simply as an emerging technology issue. Increasingly, the focus is turning toward how organisations can demonstrate that AI is being used responsibly and within appropriate governance frameworks.

The Role of AGS Verified

As expectations around AI governance continue to evolve, organisations increasingly require practical ways to demonstrate that appropriate controls are in place.

AGS Verified has been developed to provide an independent framework for confirming that organisations are operating within a defined AI governance structure.

The assessment focuses on whether organisations have implemented appropriate controls relating to:

• governance and policy

• oversight and accountability

• verification of AI-generated outputs

• data protection and handling

• monitoring and transparency

  
  

AGS Verified is designed to provide assurance to:

• clients

• procurement bodies

• insurers

• regulators

• professional bodies

  
  

Importantly, the framework does not seek to prevent organisations from using AI.

Instead, it recognises that AI is becoming an increasingly necessary part of modern professional service delivery and focuses on ensuring that its use remains controlled, proportionate, and professionally accountable.

As organisations continue integrating AI into operational workflows, the ability to demonstrate responsible governance may become just as important as the technology itself.

Looking Forward

AI will continue to transform traditional industries over the coming years.

Organisations that adopt AI responsibly are likely to benefit from:

• improved operational efficiency

• stronger governance and oversight

• increased client confidence

• greater procurement readiness

• reduced operational and reputational risk

The question is no longer whether organisations will use AI.

The question is whether they can demonstrate that they are using it responsibly.