Quantity surveying x AI: future state

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In this second article, James and Yoshi explore the bold, transformative future of quantity surveying in an AI-empowered world.

Autonomous quantity surveying systems: the end of manual measurement

Within the next decade, we envision a radical transformation in how quantity surveying is performed. Autonomous AI systems will evolve beyond today's basic automation to become truly self-directing entities capable of managing entire cost management workflows with minimal human oversight.

These systems will continuously monitor construction sites through networks of IoT sensors, lidar, and computer vision, automatically measuring work completed in real-time. As construction progresses, the AI will instantaneously update cost plans, flag variances, and proactively identify potential cost overruns before they materialise. The days of manual measurement and retrospective cost reporting will seem as antiquated as slide rules and paper blueprints.

The most revolutionary aspect will be the AI's ability to negotiate. Imagine autonomous systems that not only identify variations but also engage directly with subcontractor AIs to negotiate fair adjustments, presenting human quantity surveyors with optimised settlement recommendations. This won't eliminate the need for quantity surveyors but will transform their role from calculators to strategic advisors who establish parameters, review critical decisions, and focus on relationship management while the AI handles routine negotiations.

Quantum-powered cost modelling: unprecedented accuracy in an uncertain world

The integration of quantum computing into quantity surveying will fundamentally redefine our understanding of cost certainty. Traditional cost models struggle with the inherent uncertainty in construction, but quantum-enhanced systems will thrive on it, processing billions of variables simultaneously to model every conceivable project outcome.

By 2035, we expect to see quantum-powered cost models that can simulate entire project lifecycles in minutes, accounting for thousands of risk factors from weather patterns to global supply chain disruptions. These models won't just provide a single cost estimate but will generate dynamic probability distributions that update in real-time as conditions change. Clients will no longer ask "how much will it cost?" but rather "what's the probability distribution of potential costs, and how can we influence it?"

This quantum advantage will extend to value engineering, where AI will simultaneously evaluate millions of design and material combinations to identify optimal solutions that balance cost, carbon impact, and performance. The quantity surveyor's role will evolve to become the interpreter of these quantum insights, helping clients navigate the complex trade-offs revealed by these powerful systems.

Immersive digital twins: walking through financial futures

The convergence of digital twins, blockchain, and extended reality will create immersive environments where quantity surveyors and clients can literally walk through financial futures. Within ten years, we expect to see digital twins that aren't just visual representations but living financial ecosystems.

Imagine stepping into a virtual representation of your project where every element is linked to real-time cost data secured on blockchain. As you move through the space, you can point to any component and instantly see its cost implications, supply chain history, and carbon footprint. Want to explore a design change? Simply gesture to modify elements and watch as the financial impacts ripple through the entire project in real-time.

These environments will transform client meetings from abstract discussions about spreadsheets to tangible explorations of value. Quantity surveyors will become financial guides in these virtual spaces, helping clients understand complex cost relationships through spatial and visual experiences rather than numbers alone.

Final Reflections

The quantity surveying profession has always evolved, adapting to new technologies and methodologies throughout its history. What's different now is not the fact of change but its exponential pace. The next decade will see more transformation than the previous century, demanding unprecedented adaptability from practitioners.

The successful quantity surveyor of 2035 won't be defined by their ability to measure or calculate—tasks increasingly handled by AI—but by their uniquely human capabilities: relationship building, ethical judgment, creative problem-solving, and strategic thinking. The core skill will be learning itself—the ability to continuously adapt to new technologies and integrate them into professional practice.

Far from diminishing the profession, this technological revolution will elevate quantity surveying to new heights of influence and value. By embracing these changes and focusing on developing the skills that complement rather than compete with AI, quantity surveyors will remain essential guides through the increasingly complex financial landscapes of construction.

The future belongs not to those who resist change but to those who harness it—quantity surveyors who view AI not as a threat but as a powerful ally in delivering unprecedented value to clients and the built environment.

Next week, we will shift our focus from the future to some of the most common present-day issues and will commence a mini-series focused on construction claims. Look out for that and, in the meantime, enjoy the rest of your week

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