Building Surveyors and AI: The Question That Matters Most

In the age of AI, building surveyors (and many others) are at a pivotal juncture. The founder of OpenAI’s insight, “Figuring out what questions to ask will be more important than figuring out the answer,” carries profound relevance for this profession. As the responsibilities of surveyors evolve, mastering the art of inquiry is becoming just as crucial as technical expertise.

Building surveyors, whether based in the UK or overseas, whether they are chartered or not, play a hands-on and technical role in property assessment. Their work often involves visiting properties, documenting conditions with extensive photography and measurements and evaluating the property’s condition and value. They are instrumental in identifying building defects, contributing to construction dispute resolutions, and offering expert opinions in legal contexts. This expertise is built over years of practice and experience, yet the accelerating capabilities of AI are reshaping how these tasks are approached.

AI technologies can now process and analyse data at remarkable speed, assisting with tasks such as generating reports, identifying patterns in property conditions, or predicting maintenance needs. However, for surveyors, these tools are most valuable when guided by well-crafted, insightful questions. The quality of AI’s output is directly tied to the precision and depth of the queries posed. For example, asking AI, “What is the structural integrity of this property?” might yield a generalised answer. In contrast, a more nuanced question like, “Are there indicators of subsidence in these specific areas, based on historical data and recent observations?” can lead to actionable insights.

The key advantage for surveyors lies in leveraging AI to complement their existing expertise. While machines can process immense amounts of data, they lack the practical experience, contextual understanding, and professional judgment that surveyors bring to each project. Surveyors must, therefore, focus on framing questions that incorporate their unique knowledge and highlight key aspects of a property or case. This ensures AI’s contributions are not just relevant but aligned with professional standards.

As AI continues to advance, certain tasks may become increasingly automated, from initial condition assessments to drafting parts of reports. Yet, this does not diminish the role of the surveyor. Instead, it underscores the importance of their expertise in interpreting results, identifying gaps, and ensuring that AI outputs are accurate and meaningful. The ability to ask the right questions becomes a defining skill, enabling surveyors to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field.

In this context, the role of building surveyors is not diminished but enhanced. By embracing AI as a tool and focusing on inquiry, surveyors can maintain their critical role as experts while adapting to the changing demands of the profession. This approach allows them to provide more precise, efficient, and high-value services to clients, ensuring their relevance and expertise remain indispensable in the future of the industry.