Can AI Replace a Chartered Surveyor? A Professor Answers Honestly

In this episode, Nina Young speaks with Adrian Tagg about the changing world of building surveying education, the growing impact of AI, and why surveying remains one of the most future-proof professions.

The conversation explores how universities are adapting to AI, why practical learning still matters, and what makes building surveying such a resilient profession in an increasingly automated world. Nina and Adrian also discuss outreach, attracting younger people into surveying, and the importance of developing evidence-based judgement that technology simply cannot replace.

What We Cover

• Moving from the military into surveying
• Why building surveying is so diverse
• Sustainability and energy efficiency in practice
• The shortage of surveyors across the industry
• Outreach work with schools and young people
• Career changes and mature students in surveying
• AI and its impact on education
• Why surveying still relies on human judgement
• Professional accountability and client responsibility
• The future of surveying education
  

  ---

Guest Links

Adrian Tagg’s Email – a.tagg@reading.ac.uk

Useful Links

University of Reading Building Surveying page

Guest Bio

Adrian Tagg is an Associate Professor in Building Surveying at the University of Reading and a practising chartered building surveyor. Alongside academia, Adrian continues to work within industry and has extensive experience across building pathology, professional practice and surveying education. He also served as lead author for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors guidance note on Planned Preventative Maintenance. Adrian is passionate about professional standards, applied learning, and encouraging more people into the surveying profession.

If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room

Connect with me – Nina Young on LinkedIn