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Aipedia: Architects
ARB has published no AI-specific guidance, so architects must apply the Architects Code in force from 1 September 2025 and RIBA's 2021 codes to AI use. Those codes already cover the main AI risks: accuracy, competence, supervision, records, confidentiality and insurance.
Part of: AI in Architects
In short
As at October 2026, ARB has no AI guidance and its Code does not mention AI or digital tools. The Code still applies: Standard 1.2 on accurate promotion, 3.1 and 3.5 on competence and supervision, 4.1 on written terms, 4.5 on records, 4.6 on confidentiality and 4.7 on PI. RIBA's Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Practice for Chartered Practices, both from April 2021, add a ban on misleading words or images and insurance duties. RIBA has said it will publish an AI Overlay to the Plan of Work and a responsible-use policy in 2026.
No. ARB is the statutory regulator under the Architects Act 1997 and keeps the register and the Architects Code. Its current list of guidance and advisory notes covers complaints, PII, terms of engagement, conflicts, finances, whistleblowing, building safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, leadership, mentoring and sustainability. There is no AI item. ARB says further topic guidance is in development, but nothing on AI had been published as at October 2026.
The Architects Code of Conduct and Practice was published on 19 June 2025 and came into force on 1 September 2025, replacing the 2017 Code. It does not mention AI, technology or digital tools. That does not leave AI unregulated. The standards are outcome-based, so they apply to the result an architect delivers, whatever produced it. The AI in architecture overview sets out how widely the profession now uses these tools.
The Code is binding on every registered architect. Applied to AI use, the key standards read as follows.
| Standard | What it requires | What it means for AI |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | Promote services responsibly and accurately | AI renders and marketing copy must not overstate the design, the practice or its experience |
| 3.1 | Work within the limits of competence | Do not use AI to produce work, such as structural calculations, that you cannot check |
| 3.2 | Keep up to date with current standards | Check that AI outputs reflect current regulations and guidance |
| 3.5 | Appropriate supervision and sufficient resources | Staff using AI need review by someone competent to judge the output |
| 4.1 | Clear written terms before work begins | AI-drafted appointments still need checking; consider an AI clause |
| 4.5 | Accurate records of work and decisions | AI meeting notes and summaries must be checked before they become the record |
| 4.6 | Confidentiality and security of information | Control what client information goes into AI tools |
| 4.7 | Adequate and appropriate PII | Cover must fit the work the practice actually does, including AI-assisted work |
Standard 5 is also relevant. 5.3 requires architects to explain their role and manage expectations, and 5.4 to tell clients promptly about issues affecting cost, time or quality, which may include an error traced to an AI output.
RIBA is a voluntary professional body. Its Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Practice for Chartered Practices both date from 1 April 2021 and do not mention AI. Relevant provisions for members include:
Chartered Practices must also meet 10.1 to 10.4 on insurance, including run-off and making insurance information available to clients.
RIBA has reported on AI twice. The AI Report 2025 (27 June 2025) said RIBA was developing AI guidance. The AI Report 2026 flags professional indemnity, liability, intellectual property, data security and accountability as unresolved, and RIBA has said it will develop "an AI Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work and a policy for responsible use of AI" in 2026. Until those appear, they are not in force and create no obligations.
Outside the professional codes, architects meet AI-relevant duties in building safety and planning law:
Standard 4.7 is binding, and ARB's PII guidance (19 June 2025) sets the minimum terms: £250,000 each and every claim, aggregate cover permitted only for fire safety and cladding, asbestos and pollution where sized for multiple claims, and at least six years' run-off (five in Scotland). Work subject to a complete exclusion is not acceptable. The guidance does not mention AI, so there is no regulatory requirement for affirmative AI cover. In practice, PI usually responds to negligent work whether or not AI was involved, but the policy wording and what was disclosed to insurers decide that. The Architects Code and PI guide covers the minimum terms in detail, and does PI cover AI mistakes looks at wordings.
Apex arranges PI for ARB-registered architects and RIBA Chartered Practices. A broker can check your policy against Standard 4.7 and the ARB minimum terms, and discuss how AI-assisted work is presented to insurers.
No. As at October 2026 ARB has published no AI-specific guidance and the Architects Code does not mention AI. ARB says further topic guidance is in development. Until then, architects apply the existing standards on competence, supervision, records, confidentiality and PI to AI use.
No. RIBA has said it will develop an AI Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work and a responsible-use policy during 2026. Until published, they create no obligations. RIBA members remain bound by the 2021 Code of Professional Conduct, which does not mention AI.
Standard 3.1, working within the limits of competence, is often the decisive one. If an architect cannot check an AI output, relying on it is likely to fall short of 3.1, as the CROSS-UK Report 1554 calculation example shows. Standards 1.2, 3.5 and 4.5 follow closely.
The ARB PII guidance does not mention AI. It requires adequate and appropriate cover of at least £250,000 each and every claim with no complete exclusions for work undertaken. Whether a particular AI-related claim is covered depends on the policy wording.
Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a PI quote Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
