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Aipedia: IT consultants and developers
Technology PI often covers AI-related failures in your professional services, as many wordings do not single out AI, but the answer depends on the wording, exclusions and disclosure. IT firms build and use AI heavily, so checking this matters more than for most professions.
Part of: AI in IT consultants and developers
In short
Most technology PI policies respond to claims alleging negligent acts, errors or omissions in your professional services, and many say nothing specific about AI. That "silent AI" position often means AI-caused losses are covered like any other, subject to the wording. Insurers may introduce AI exclusions or affirmative AI clauses, and cyber policies may respond where data or systems are compromised. There is no statutory or BCS PI requirement, and no regulator statement on AI and PI has been found. Describe your AI work accurately to insurers, especially if you build or deploy AI for clients.
For IT consultants and developers, AI losses come in two broad forms. The first is AI-assisted work going wrong: a defect from an AI coding suggestion, a dropped requirement in an AI-drafted specification, or an AI-written script that causes an outage. The second is AI you built or deployed failing for the client: a chatbot giving bad answers, an agent taking harmful actions, or a decision engine without legally required safeguards. Both can produce claims from clients and, sometimes, from third parties.
Many technology PI wordings are written around your "professional services" and "negligent acts, errors or omissions" without mentioning AI. Where that is the case, an AI-related claim is commonly treated in the same way as any other professional negligence claim. The question is whether the claim arises from your described services and alleges a breach of professional duty, not whether a person or a tool produced the work. Our guide to affirmative AI cover versus silent AI explains the terms.
Silent does not mean unlimited. Ordinary exclusions still apply, such as those for contractual liability beyond your legal duty, guarantees, fines, deliberate acts and, in some wordings, cyber events.
Insurers may add AI-specific language. That can take the form of exclusions for losses arising from AI outputs, sub-limits for AI-related claims, or affirmative clauses confirming cover for defined AI activities. The wording varies, so a policy that looks similar at renewal may treat AI differently. Read the definitions of "professional services" and any AI terms closely. See AI exclusions and clauses in insurance policies.
AI failures often involve data or systems. A chatbot leaking personal data, an agent corrupting a database or a prompt-injection attack may trigger both a client claim, commonly a PI matter, and incident response, restoration and notification costs, usually cyber matters. Some firms buy a combined technology policy with both sections. Gaps tend to appear where each policy assumes the other will respond. See PI versus cyber for IT consultants and, for firms building and selling AI, AI insurance in the UK.
Proposal forms may ask about AI. Even where they do not, a material change in your services, such as starting to build AI agents for clients, may need to be disclosed under the policy terms. Useful information includes:
Our page on what to document about AI use has more detail.
If a claim arises, the evidence that you reviewed AI output, tested properly and followed recognised codes helps both your defence and the insurer's handling of it. The ICO said on 8 October 2026 that autonomy is no excuse for poor compliance, and BCS members remain responsible for their own work under clause 3.3 of the BCS Code of Conduct. See AI-generated code and AI clauses in IT contracts.
Apex arranges technology PI and cyber cover for IT consultants and developers. A broker reviews your wording for AI exclusions or gaps and how it treats AI-assisted and AI-built work. See the IT consultants AI hub.
Often, where the policy is silent on AI and the claim arises from your described professional services. Cover still depends on the wording and exclusions, so check for AI-specific terms and make sure your services are described accurately.
Silent AI describes policies that neither include nor exclude AI risk expressly. Claims involving AI are then handled under the general terms. Insurers may introduce express AI exclusions or affirmative AI clauses, which can change the position at renewal.
A client claim that you designed the system negligently is commonly within PI, subject to the wording and any cyber exclusion. Breach response and restoration costs usually fall under cyber insurance. Review both policies together.
Answer proposal questions accurately and disclose material changes in your services as the policy requires. Starting to build or deploy AI for clients is likely to be relevant. If unsure, ask your broker before renewal.
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.
