Why the New RICS AI Standard Matters for Surveyors
Last week, Nella Pang MRICS joined James Garner FRICS and Christopher Alder on the RICS Podcast to discuss the new RICS Global Professional Standard: Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice, which came into effect on 9 March 2026.
This marks a significant moment for the profession.
Artificial intelligence is no longer something happening “out there.” It is increasingly embedded in how professionals analyse data, communicate insights, model risk and run their businesses. The question is no longer whether AI will be used in surveying practices, but how responsibly it is governed.
You can listen to the full conversation here:
🎧 RICS (Buzzsprout):
https://www.buzzsprout.com/994459/episode_players/18717921-human-in-the-loop-rics-groundbreaking-ai-standard-with-james-garner-frics-nella-pang-mrics-and-chris-alder-230
🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/human-in-the-loop-rics-groundbreaking-ai-standard/id1521536110?i=1000750983380
🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ggrgoQq2yFdtxbilAQips
AI Will Not Replace Surveyors
But surveyors who ignore AI may be replaced.
This was one of the strongest messages highlighted in the discussion.
AI is a powerful tool. It can analyse vast datasets, stress-test rental growth scenarios, model ESG exposure and identify risk patterns faster than any individual professional could. However, it cannot replace:
- Professional judgement
- Inspection insight
- Negotiation skill
- Decades of market experience
The RICS standard reinforces a critical principle:
The human must remain in the loop.
In practice, this means:
- The surveyor sets the brief
- AI performs the analysis
- The surveyor takes responsibility for the output
Accountability does not transfer to the algorithm.
What This Means in Practice
At Omega RE | Certified B Corp, AI tools are already used to:
- Summarise meetings and extract actions instantly
- Analyse portfolio risk scenarios more efficiently
- Stress-test assumptions across multiple economic conditions
- Improve turnaround times for clients without compromising rigour
However, AI outputs are never substituted for professional oversight.
The new standard formalises what responsible practitioners should already be doing:
- Governing data
- Documenting processes
- Being transparent with clients
- Maintaining explainability
Ultimately, trust remains the profession’s core currency.
The Real Risks (And Why Governance Matters)
As AI adoption accelerates, governance becomes increasingly important.
Key considerations discussed in the podcast include:
- Free AI models are not secure environments for confidential client data
- “Shadow AI” can emerge when firms do not provide safe internal tools
- Underlying IT permissions (SharePoint, cloud storage, etc.) may become more exposed once AI is connected
- Data breaches must be reported to the ICO within 48 hours
- Two-factor authentication and cyber hygiene are essential
At Omega RE, the team has taken several proactive steps:
- Updating privacy policies and the employee handbook
- Reviewing cyber insurance coverage
- Embedding AI governance within internal risk registers
- Updating terms and conditions to transparently reflect AI usage
This is not about fear, but about professional responsibility, caution and leadership.
SMEs vs Global Firms: The Playing Field Has Changed
One of the most exciting aspects of AI is that it levels the playing field.
Boutique and SME practices can now interrogate data at a depth that was previously reserved for global institutions.
The differentiator is no longer firm size, but:
- How effectively data is interrogated
- How clearly governance frameworks are applied
- How responsibly professional judgement is exercised
AI does not diminish smaller firms.
It empowers them.
A Personal Reflection
For Nella Pang, being part of the working group that developed this new RICS standard has been an extraordinary experience.
It provided a unique opportunity to see how the future of AI governance in surveying is developing — not just conceptually, but through practical regulatory frameworks.
The profession is at a pivotal moment.
AI should enhance surveying practice, not erode it.
If the profession ignores it, it risks becoming irrelevant. If it governs AI responsibly, it strengthens credibility and trust.
If you haven’t yet listened to the episode, it’s well worth doing so. Whether you are a surveyor, developer, investor or adviser, this conversation will influence how professional advice is delivered going forward.
🎧 Listen here:
RICS: https://www.buzzsprout.com/994459/episode_players/18717921-human-in-the-loop-rics-groundbreaking-ai-standard-with-james-garner-frics-nella-pang-mrics-and-chris-alder-230
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ggrgoQq2yFdtxbilAQips
For those interested in discussing AI governance or how the new RICS standard may impact portfolios or advisory structures, Nella Pang would be very happy to continue the conversation.
Nella will also be speaking at upcoming industry events:
• Thursday 19 March – Dilapidations Conference
• Thursday 7 May – RICS Building Surveying Conference
