RICS partner with DTSA President on “AI in Cost Engineering” ….
- Digital Twin Skills Academy CIC
- Oct 14
- 8 min read
“ ........ Today, (14.10.25) the PQS profession has NO CHOICE, but to evolve and embrace AI, the fear-mongering, denial and procrastination has to stop and the URGENT action needs to begin; the time is now …. !” _ Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
By way of a recap; in my last post on this topic, I affirmed the following:
“it is not that I disagree with the way that we do things (and have done since I graduated in 1994), it is simply that I believed then, and still know now, of a much ‘better way’ to create ‘evidence-based’ value, for our clients and the wider public [the latter, in the context of tax-payer funded, construction projects].” _ Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
Earlier this year, we were excited to celebrate our election to become an RICS Tech Partner, a journey that (technically) began in 2003, and finally manifested in March 2025, some 22years later; ChatGPT playing a significant part in that achievement.
Credit: RICS Tech Partner Programme
The 'manifestation' of a Co-Pilot, has finally arrived:
In fact, recent Guidance issued by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) last year urges construction workers to treat AI as a “new colleague”. The document goes onto say that "AI offers the opportunity to improve everyday working patterns", and CIOB encourages staff to “treat AI as your new colleague, your construction assistant, potentially removing the burden from often repetitive data tasks.”
The CIOB report also advises professionals and firms to: “work out where it can provide complementary analytical skills, pattern recognition, consistency and increased processing speed.”
The entire concept of a personal 'co-pilot' is something that many in my network know has existed, at least for me, well over 30years ago, as I embarked upon my first degree thesis; back in 1993 / 94 ...........
Today, 31years later, and at our core, we (at AI-QS) are aligned to the 'legal requirement' called the Golden Thread of Information Management 'GTIM' and are desirous of supporting ‘intelligent’ clients / project owners, funders and insurers, to realise the 'multi-faceted' value of a fully federated 5D digital twin.
Other valuable observations have been gleaned from across the [global] profession, including this from Hamza Shabazz, a practising chartered surveyor, based in Riyadh, SA _ who was quoted as saying:
"The relationship between the QS and Innovation needs to change.
The QS needs to learn to love AI.
If you don’t embrace AI, it will displace you.
The skills gap needs to be addressed by bringing together the younger generation with the vast experience of the older generation.
Cost management/cost reporting doesn’t have to look at historic data, by building live databases, key stakeholders can view real time project information helping to inform decision making.
Just some of the items discussed in this hot topic podcast with Dr Bola Abisogun OBE (Hon DUniv, Hon MBA). So many relevant take aways..."
Back then, (six months ago), my conclusion was to focus on key take aways (God willing) which provided me with the following points delivered in my Keynote, including:
· AI’s Impact on Quantity Surveying Practice
· The Role of Professional Standards in AI Adoption
· Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven QS
· Developing AI-Ready QS Professionals – Competency & Skills
· The Future of AI in QS _ “what comes next? ….”
Today, (during #BlackHistoryMonth 2025) it is patently obvious that the global profession has some serous thinking to do, an urgency which must be followed by swift and decisive action(s) if we are to remain relevant and competitive ........
Credit: AI4QS / Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
Credit: AI4QS / Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
Following my Keynote, back in April and the panel discussion .... which included rising star Alice Graham MRICS ....... who will be co-delivering this 'unique' webinar with me .......
Credit: RICS
..... the event sought to establish an array of (P)QS personas; detailed as follows …. "which one are you?"
Credit: AI4QS / Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
Credit: RICS
My last comment in the same ‘thought-leadership’ piece, back in April 2025, following the launch of AI4QS at Surveyors House, and read:
“Do get involved in the 'AI4QS' movement for change [or face getting left behind, with little to zero, competitive advantage] the QS profession has NO CHOICE, but to evolve …….. and the time is now …. !” _ Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
It has also been largely agreed (and accepted) that _ 𝗔𝗜 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 will d𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 b𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 t𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and literally force adoption. AI Agents are no longer just a tech trend; they are at the heart of reshaping business operations. The real challenge is how quickly companies can adapt their processes to leverage AI-driven automation and decision-making; source McKinsey & Co
Credit: RICS
Since then, we’ve had the introduction of ‘Responsible Use of AI in Surveying Practice’ _ where, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published, on 10.09.25, the first global professional standard for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surveying practice - a decisive move to guide the profession through the rapid evolution of AI technologies.
Credit: RICS
Set to take effect on 9 March 2026, the new standard sets out mandatory requirements and best practice expectations for RICS members and regulated firms worldwide. It addresses the growing integration of AI across valuation, construction, infrastructure, and land services - and aims to ensure these tools are used ethically, transparently, and with professional oversight.
Some of the key provisions of the new standard include:
Governance & Risk Management
Firms must implement clear policies around data use, AI system governance, and risk documentation - including the creation of risk registers and due diligence procedures.
Professional Judgment & Oversight
Surveyors must assess the reliability of AI outputs and remain accountable for all work, applying professional scepticism and expertise throughout.
Transparency & Client Communication
Clients must be informed, in writing, of when and how AI will be used in service delivery, including options for redress or opting out.
Ethical Development of AI
For firms developing their own AI systems, the standard mandates assessments of data quality, stakeholder involvement, sustainability impact, and legal compliance.
Credit: RICS
RICS Acting President Elect, Maureen Ehrenberg, said: “Artificial intelligence offers real promise to the surveying profession - but only if used responsibly and ethically. This standard ensures surveyors remain at the forefront of innovation while protecting clients, data, and public trust. It supports the profession’s adaptation to rapidly advancing technologies while reinforcing the core role of the surveyor - to provide trusted, independent, and ethical advice.
Credit: RICS
This initiative reflects RICS’s broader mission to uphold the highest technical and ethical standards across the built and natural environment, ensuring innovation is aligned with the public interest.”
The full standard document may be found at this link.
Credit: RICS
And added to this sentiment has been the further articulation by the RICS, in another recent article penned by Anil Sawhney, FRICS in a post, dated 12.09.25
The benefits realisation is clear for all to see, with the following areas of potential ''commercial gain and competitive advantage" being the prize for the early adopter .....
Credit: RICS
However, the bigger question is
What is the current state of adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction sector, and how rapidly is this expected to change?
Using the survey responses of more than 2,200 professionals globally, this report examines current attitudes toward AI in the construction sector and recommends actions (amidst the well documented barriers!) intended to accelerate progress and ensure responsible AI integration.
Credit: RICS
The reports also presents the results of a previously unpublished subset of six questions that formed part of the Q1 2025 Global Construction Monitor (GCM) survey.
“This timely report provides a valuable global snapshot of how surveying professionals across the built and natural environment are thinking about AI in construction, where they see significant potential, what’s holding them back and how prepared they feel. These sentiment-based insights help us cut through the hype and focus on what matters: ensuring AI is used in ways that support trusted and safe practice, deliver real value and serve the public good.”
_ Maureen Ehrenberg FRICS CRE, Acting President-Elect, RICS
Credit: RICS
Co-Authors: Anil Sawhney FRICS & Katherine Pitman
The construction industry stands at an unprecedented inflection point.
The convergence of accessible tools, growing data maturity, mounting pressure for productivity gains and a clear improvement in social and environmental outcomes has created the conditions for rapid, widespread adoption of AI. This report reveals that the industry is closer to this transformation than many realise, with the potential for AI integration to accelerate dramatically within the next 12 to 24 months. Organisations that understand and act on these patterns will gain significant competitive advantages, while those that delay risk being left behind in an increasingly AI-enabled marketplace.
Credit: RICS
Introduction
AI can be defined as ‘digital systems capable of performing tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as learning, reasoning and inferring’. The field has seen rapid progress in the last few years.
While intelligent digital systems (such as computer vision) have been in use in construction for several decades, more recent breakthroughs in deep learning architecture and the subsequent release of free-to-use web-based generative AI tools have propelled AI, and its potential use on the construction industry’s ‘wicked’ problems (defined by their complexity, additionality and data availability), into the limelight.
As a technology that is rapidly evolving, AI has the potential to reshape the construction industry, bringing both risks and opportunities. At the forefront of industry leaders' minds are the implications of AI for professional skills and expertise, productivity, job security and displacement, health and safety, security and sustainability.
Credit: RICS
Findings _ (excerpt from the report)
3.1 Respondents report very limited AI adoption among construction organisations globally
In 2025, AI emerged as the leading construction technology for increased investment, with 56% of surveyed investors planning to allocate more funds to AI compared to the previous year. Despite the increasing attention on AI within the construction sector, actual adoption remains limited (see Figure 1, above).
Approximately 45% of respondents reported no AI implementation in their organisations, while another 34% are in early pilot phases, highlighting cautious experimentation rather than widespread operational use. This tentative approach suggests the industry recognises AI's potential benefits but remains uncertain about scalability, integration or business value.
More frequent use of AI on construction projects is still relatively rare. Just under 12% of respondents reported regular use of AI in specific processes, indicating pockets of successful deployment in certain operational areas. However, widespread adoption remains rare: only 1.5% reported use across multiple processes, and fully embedded, organisation-wide AI use was reported by less than 1% of participants globally. This sharp drop-off suggests significant barriers to scaling AI use, including skills gaps, integration challenges, data availability and high implementation costs.
Credit: RICS
Overview
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is moving rapidly from theory into practice, and cost managers and quantity surveyors are beginning to feel its impact. Yet uncertainty remains: what exactly is AI, how does it differ from automation, and what practical applications can we use today?
This webinar provides a clear, profession-specific overview of AI for cost management and cost engineering. Our speakers will start with the basics, then explore real-world and emerging use cases, before addressing professional risks, insurance implications, and the need for robust standards. The session will also look ahead at how AI may reshape QS business models and why a cultural mindset shift—towards critical thinking and emotional intelligence—will be just as important as technical adoption.
Whether you are just starting your career or leading a QS practice, this session will give you the tools to cut through the hype, recognise opportunities, and prepare for the risks and responsibilities of AI in practice.
Learning outcomes
Define AI in QS practice and distinguish it from automation and intelligent automation
Recognise opportunities and use cases for AI adoption in cost management and cost engineering
Evaluate professional risks and standards including PI insurance and RICS’ Cost Prediction Professional Statement (June 2024)
Understand the regulatory landscape and the importance of the forthcoming Responsible Use of AI standard
Anticipate the future of QS practice by exploring cultural mindset shifts, business model changes, and client impacts
Respond to FAQs with confidence by understanding common fears and misconceptions about AI
God willing, see you next month, on the 6th November 2025 .....