Researchers at University College London’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction are inviting architecture, engineering and construction professionals to give their view of the state of ethical governance of AI
This article invites professionals to participate in a new research project titled Mapping the Contours of Ethical Governance of Artificial Intelligence used in the UK Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) Sector.
The project is exploring the state of practice in ethical considerations guiding AI use in the UK’s AEC sector. The study is led by researchers at UCL’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction (BSSC) in the world-leading Faculty of the Built Environment.
AI use is growing, but there is little focus on the ethical considerations The use of different AI tools/systems (eg ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude) and company-specific machine learning (ML) tools for design, planning, document preparation, and data analysis tasks is growing in the AEC sector worldwide, and in the UK.
This growth is largely driven by interests around efficiency and productivity, given the potential of various AI tools to, for instance, refine designs, draft documents or to undertake complex calculations faster. AEC firms are therefore keen to deploy various AI tools/systems to improve outputs and gain competitive advantage.
What the project aims to do and why that matters
This project explores the state of practice in ethical considerations around AI use in the UK AEC sector. To support this aim, the study seeks to identify key reference points (eg laws, guidelines, standards) that AEC professionals draw upon to inform an ethical approach in adopting and using AI, and to explore the challenges and gaps in the current practices around ethical deployment of AI in the UK AEC sector.
The study focuses on the above for practical impact. Amid the growing use and industry interest, there is limited evidence about their ethical deployment (eg in relation to data privacy, transparency, safety, responsibility, accountability and explainability).
Meanwhile, AI adoption is inseparable from ethical concerns, and their materialisation will negatively impact firms, clients, project deliverables and the public in the short, medium and long terms.
To guide the sector towards responsible deployment of AI, it is crucial to understand how AEC firms can approach the adoption and use of different AI systems in ways that are informed by ethical considerations.
Support this project
Prioritising practical relevance, we are inviting all professionals working in the UK AEC sector to:
- Complete an anonymous online survey. This is confidential, and no data will be attributable to an individual. To participate, please follow this link to the survey, or scan the QR.
- Register to participate in a half-day in person workshop on 4 June 2026 at 1pm at UCL main campus in London. The survey will allow you to register your interest.
As a professional in the UK AEC, your experience can help offer valuable insights about the state of practice in ethical considerations in AI adoption and use in the UK AEC sector, which will help shape responsible use.
Findings from this study will help shape a practical guidance for an ethics-informed AI governance framework for firms in the AEC sector.
For any enquiries about ethics, consent, information for participants and future collaboration, please contact Dr Kwadwo Oti-Sarpong (k.otisarpong@ucl.ac.uk). This project has received ethical approval from UCL.
The post Ethical governance of artificial intelligence use in the UK’s architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
