Mark Hand, RTPI\u2019s Director of Profession, International, Cymru and Northern Ireland offers the fourth in an RTPI series of monthly blogs that highlight its shared role in upholding professional standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mark Hand, for the RTPI, writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re a new student member, a Fellow with decades of experience, or somewhere in between, every member at every level of membership has signed up to the RTPI\u2019s Code of Professional Conduct. This month\u2019s blog explores the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Artificial Intelligence<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AI is probably the most significant revolution for a generation, with the potential to fundamentally change how we live and work. It\u2019s both exciting and daunting. If used positively, AI could empower communities to understand and engage in our complex and jargon-riddled profession, as well as streamlining some parts of our work as practitioners. Current reality feels somewhat different, however, with AI objection tools drowning planners in clever-sounding objection letters, or well-meaning clients using AI to challenge consultants\u2019 advice or fees. In a broader context, AI is testing the capacity and future-proofing of our energy infrastructure via the associated growth in demand for data centres, and concerns are being raised about the environmental impact. It is also worth remembering that AI is inherently biased towards western, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic societies. Research by UCL shows that AI models learn from past human choices, repeating biases in a feedback loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Providing some guardrails<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As your professional Institute, we\u2019re thinking through the various implications of this radical technological change for our members and for the planning profession. We recently published guidance on AI use for people applying for RTPI membership through our Assessment of Professional Competency (APC) routes. We\u2019re also working with our accredited universities to ensure the next generation of planning students are still critical thinkers. We\u2019re also thinking about the training and CPD needs of the future workforce, if the basic planning work that many of us cut our teeth on will be done in a very different way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does our Code of Professional Conduct say?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the coming months, we\u2019ll be producing a new Professional Standards Guidance Note on ethical AI use. So in the meantime, I have set out what our Code of Professional Conduct already says about the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All members are required to adhere to the Code\u2019s five core principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All five of these principles are of relevance when considering the ethical use of AI. But what guidance does the RTPI Code of Professional Conduct provide to help you stay safe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Confidentiality<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members must not disclose or use to the advantage of themselves, their employers or clients, information acquired in confidence in the course of their work, unless disclosure is required by law, or is with the written and informed consent of the party benefiting from the confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Care is essential to avoid putting any personal or commercially sensitive information into AI if it could then be accessed by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exercise care<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members shall act competently, conscientiously and responsibly and to this end are expected to apply reasonable standards of skill, knowledge and care in the performance of all their work, with the understanding that Members have a duty to their employers, clients, colleagues and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, you are responsible for the quality and accuracy of your work. Do not use AI tools without applying critical judgement to what it is telling you. Has it captured the nuances of what consultees are telling you? Is the case law quoted a hallucination or misinterpreted or relevant to another jurisdiction?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expertise<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members must act within the scope of their professional competence in undertaking the professional planning services they are employed or commissioned to do. Members must therefore undertake to perform those services only when they, together with those whom they may engage as employees or consultants are sufficiently qualified by education, training or experience in the specific areas involved. As planners, we\u2019re used to commissioning other professionals to provide their expertise, such as on archaeology, ecology, flooding or heritage. Using AI is not an acceptable alternative to fill such gaps in your own expertise. Remember, you might be called to defend your work in an appeal. Can you back up what you have said?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ownership and trustworthiness<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members must not make or subscribe to any statements or reports which are contrary to their own genuine professional opinions, nor knowingly enter into any contract or agreement which requires them to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members must base their professional advice on relevant, reliable and supportable evidence and present the results of data and analysis clearly and without improper manipulation. You\u2019re submitting work in your name. Is it accurate and can you stand by it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responsibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members who, as employers or managers, have responsibility for the work of an organisation or body engaged in planning work must take all reasonable steps to ensure that planning matters in the organisation or body are conducted in accordance with this Code. This is an important one for those of you with line management responsibility. You might be confident in how you\u2019re using AI, or you might not be using it at all. But as a manager, you\u2019re responsible for the output of your team too, even if they are not RTPI members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resources available<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Code of Professional Conduct can be found on our recently refreshed professional standards webpages, alongside information about how complaints of misconduct are investigated, the potential sanctions, recent decisions and a host of guidance to help you, including a series of Professional Standards Guidance Notes. A new guidance note on ethical use of AI will be produced later this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n