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In a special collaboration, we join Own the Build podcast for their 250th episode alongside the RICS. This conversation arrives at a pivotal moment: the RICS has just published its first-ever global professional standard for the responsible use of AI in surveying, coming into effect in March 2026.

Unpacking what this means for Quantity Surveyors (QS'), valuers, project professionals, software vendors and construction leaders, is:

• James Garner — Head of AI & Data at Gleeds, Chair of the Project Data Analytics Task Force, and host of Project Flux.
• Chris de Gruben — Senior Director & Head of AI at Artefact; co-chair of the RICS AI Working Group.
• Matthew Lavy — Barrister at 4 Pump Court specialising in technology disputes and AI liability.

Across this wide-ranging, practical and occasionally provocative discussion, the panel explore:

• Why the RICS created this standard now: Member demand, regulatory pressure, industry lag, and a cultural shift from “AI as a threat” to “AI as a professional tool”.
• The core pillars of responsible AI use: Risk registers, explainability, transparency to clients, PI considerations, shadow AI, enterprise-grade tools, and why “professional judgement” remains non-negotiable.
• What AI will — and won’t — replace: From AVMs and automated cost analysis to complex valuation, negotiation, context, and human judgement.
• The difference between enabling and restricting innovation: Why the RICS guidance is intentionally light-touch and principle-based, and how it avoids the rigidity of the EU AI Act.
• What this means for QSs, valuers, employers, universities and software vendors: Future training, AI literacy, cultural change, documentation, and how practitioners can protect themselves while accelerating adoption.
• The future of surveying and construction in an AI-native world: Agentic workflows, robotics, quantum computing, and the real-world impact on productivity, risk, client expectations and professional identity.
  
  

This is a landmark conversation at a turning point for the profession. If you want clarity on how AI will shape surveying, cost management and construction over the next five years — and what you should do in 2026 — this is essential listening.

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Summary

In this episode of the Project Flux podcast, host James engages with Mark Enzer and Gavin Spencer to discuss the intersection of project management and artificial intelligence. They explore the importance of systems thinking, the need for a federated approach to data management, and the role of AI in shaping the future of project delivery. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of starting with clear outcomes, the significance of data quality, and the collaboration between humans and AI. They also touch on future trends in project management and the importance of ethical considerations in technology use

Takeaways

• Start with the end in mind to guide project outcomes.
• Projects are interconnected systems that require a holistic view.
• AI can enhance our understanding of complex systems.
• A federated approach to data management is more effective.
• Data quality is crucial for successful AI implementation.
• We must start somewhere with our data management efforts.
• AI should serve human needs, not dominate them.
• Metamodernism offers a hopeful perspective for the future.
• Shaping the future of project management requires collective effort.
• Ethical considerations in technology use are paramount.

Chapters

04:53 The Windsor Project Summit Insights
09:39 Systems Thinking in Project Management
14:34 AI's Role in Infrastructure and Project Delivery
19:09 Shaping the Future of Project Management
23:56 The Human-Tech Relationship in Project Management
26:51 Tech Serving Humanity: Ethical Considerations
29:23 Data Quality: The Foundation of AI Success
36:16 Interoperability in Project Delivery: Challenges and Solutions
40:06 Human Skills in an AI World: The Importance of Clarity
43:48 Emerging Trends: Metamodernism and the Future of Purpose

Links and Stuff

Get the Report Here - https://www.apm.org.uk/resources/thought-leadership/the-windsor-summit-series/

Link to Built Environment Connective - https://be-connective.com/v

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Project Flux is independently owned, funded, and operated by its founder. Any external references or features are for community benefit only and do not imply endorsement, control, or ownership.

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Summary

In this conversation, Project Flux representatives discuss the evolving landscape of AI in project management, highlighting key trends and challenges from 2025 and predictions for 2026. They explore the illusion of intelligence in AI, the responsibility of project professionals in governance, the impact of hallucinations on implementation, and the shift from pilot projects to full-scale adoption. The discussion also touches on the quality of AI-generated content, the role of data centers, and the emergence of vibe coding and robotics, ultimately questioning whether the future of project management will be evolutionary or revolutionary.

Takeaways

• AI has created an illusion of intelligence that doesn't hold in real-world applications.
• Project professionals must take responsibility for AI governance and implementation.
• The shift from pilot projects to full implementation of AI is crucial for success.
• AI psychosis refers to the uncritical belief in AI outputs, which can be harmful.
• Hallucinations in AI outputs pose significant challenges for industries relying on accurate data.
• The quality of AI-generated content varies greatly, leading to concerns about 'AI slop'.
• The project management profession is at a crossroads between evolution and revolution due to AI.
• Strategic work in project management will become clearer as AI tools evolve.
• Data centers are crucial for the future of AI, but sustainability must be considered.
• Vibe coding is an emerging trend that allows for more intuitive AI interactions.

• Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Project Flux and AI Trends
02:42 The Illusion of Intelligence in AI
05:41 The Responsibility of Project Professionals in AI Governance
08:31 Emerging Technologies: Agentic AI and AI Psychosis
11:20 Challenges in AI Implementation: Hallucinations and Data Quality
14:03 The Shift from Pilots to Full Implementation
16:56 AI Slop and the Quality of AI-Generated Content
19:44 The Future of Project Management: Evolution vs. Revolution
22:29 Strategic Work and Context Engineering in AI
25:17 The Role of Data Centers and Sustainability in AI
28:26 Vibe Coding and the Rise of Robotics
31:19 The Future of AI in Project Management

Support the show

Subscribe to the Project Flux Newsletter!

All our podcasts commentate on the weeks hottest news brought to you by the Project Flux Newsletter!

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Project Flux is independently owned, funded, and operated by its founder. Any external references or features are for community benefit only and do not imply endorsement, control, or ownership.