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What AI Can and Can’t Do in Surveying

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​Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries worldwide, and surveying is no exception. From automating data analysis to improving project efficiency, digital transformation is well underway - but it’s not about replacing surveyors. It’s about empowering them.

The Reality of AI in Surveying Today

The RICS “AI in Construction” report found that 70% of project managers and quantity surveyors believe AI will help deliver greater value across projects. Adoption, however, remains limited - only 9% of UK firms currently use AI in any meaningful way, while 69% rely primarily on cloud-based tools.

That gap between belief and implementation highlights the industry’s biggest challenge: technology is advancing faster than firms can integrate it.

What AI Can Do

AI is already adding real value to the surveying process in several key areas:

  • Data Processing and Modelling - Machine learning systems now analyse vast data sets from drones, laser scanners, and IoT sensors far faster than humans can.

  • 3D Modelling and Defect Detection - AI-driven analysis can identify patterns, generate models, and flag inconsistencies in real time.

  • Routine Reporting - Automated reporting tools now draft summaries, check data, and standardise outputs, cutting admin time dramatically.

  • Design and Decision Support - Around40% of construction professionals expect AI’s biggest impact in the next five years to come from early design “optioneering” - exploring better, faster solutions.

AI spending by UK surveying firms has already risen from £195 per company in 2022 to £1,151 in 2024, a sign that digital investment is accelerating.

What AI Can’t Do (Yet)

Despite all the potential, AI is still a tool - not a replacement for human expertise. It can’t:

  • Replicate Context and Judgement- Surveyors interpret complex environments, materials, and people - things algorithms can’t fully grasp.

  • Build Relationships - Negotiation, trust, and stakeholder management remain human essentials.

  • Fix Data Quality Issues - AI is only as good as the data it’s given, and many firms still struggle with fragmented systems.

  • Scale Seamlessly - Most implementations remain pilots or isolated projects, not full organisational change.

Implications for Surveyors and Employers

For Surveyors:
Embrace technology - learn the systems, but also develop your people skills. The most successful professionals in the next decade will combine technical proficiency with strategic insight and client communication.

For Employers:
Invest in data and upskilling. AI integration requires good information, solid workflows, and human expertise. Firms that lead the way digitally will not only deliver faster, more accurate results, but also attract the next generation of talent.

The Future of Surveying and AI

AI won’t replace surveyors - but surveyors who know how to use AI will increasingly replace those who don’t. The goal isn’t automation for its own sake, but smarter, more efficient ways of working that enhance professional judgment.

Those who blend human insight with digital capability will define the future of the profession - and ensure surveying remains one of the most dynamic and rewarding careers in the built environment.