Plico Advisory · Transparency

AI
Disclosure

Plico Advisory uses AI in two different ways: to generate automated self-service reports, and to assist architects on Architect Led work. This document explains how, when, and under what constraints, and what that means for you.

Our position

We believe in full transparency about our use of AI. We use it in two different ways, and the difference matters to you.

Self-service reports. The Site Intelligence Report and the Place History Report are designed and curated by a registered architect, but each report is generated automatically using AI. It is not reviewed or signed off by an architect, and it is not architect-led professional advice.

Architect Led work. The Feasibility Study Report, and any advice we give you as a practice, is prepared and signed off by a registered architect or qualified specialist. AI may assist with research and drafting, but it does not replace professional judgement, and the final opinion is the architect's, not the AI's.

The free Site Snapshot is a deterministic lookup of public planning data and uses no AI. See how our reports are built.

Tools in use

The following AI tools form part of our practice workflow. This list is reviewed and updated periodically.

Claude (Anthropic) Generates the Site Intelligence Report and the Place History Report, reads documents you upload to them, and assists our architects with research synthesis and drafting on Architect Led work. Self-service reports are not reviewed by a person before delivery. If an automated quality check flags an issue, our team reviews the report after delivery and may send you a corrected copy. Architect Led work is reviewed and edited by a principal before delivery.
Custom tools Plico has built its own tools on the Anthropic API and on state planning and heritage data: the self-service reports, and aids for feasibility analysis, heritage assessment support, NCC compliance checking and brief building. They operate under our direct oversight.
Image generation AI image tools are used at concept stage for massing studies and precedent visualisation only. They are not used to generate final design drawings or representations of proposed buildings.
Document processing AI reads the planning documents, heritage reports and technical standards you supply. For self-service reports this happens automatically. For advice affecting compliance or legal decisions on Architect Led work, the underlying source documents are always reviewed directly by a principal.

How AI assists our work

In the self-service reports, AI synthesises state planning data, heritage sources and the documents you supply. Each report traces its figures to a source and runs automated consistency checks before delivery, and it lists anything it could not confirm. On Architect Led work, AI assists in synthesising planning scheme provisions, heritage overlay controls and technical standards, and all analysis is verified against primary source documents by an architect before it is relied upon in advice.

Self-service reports are generated automatically from your inputs and are delivered without individual review. For a Feasibility Study Report, first drafts may be produced with AI assistance based on structured input from a principal. The report is reviewed, edited and approved by a registered architect or heritage specialist before it reaches you, and the final document represents our professional opinion, not the AI's.

Our NCC and heritage compliance tools use AI to assist in identifying applicable clauses, dimensional requirements and common non-compliances. These tools are reference aids: compliance determinations require professional judgment and must be confirmed by a registered practitioner and the relevant Registered Building Surveyor.

AI tools assist in drafting plain-English summaries of technical findings for Architect Led reports and correspondence, and all of that content is reviewed and approved by a principal before sending. Automated emails, such as receipts, report links and waitlist confirmations, are fixed templates. We do not use AI to generate responses to client enquiries without human review.

Client data & privacy

We take the privacy of client information seriously. The following principles govern how client data is handled in the context of AI tool use. See also our privacy policy.

Data shared with AI To generate a self-service report, the site address, the details you enter and any documents you upload are sent to the AI service so that it can read and assess them. Please do not upload anything you do not want processed, such as personal or financial details. On Architect Led work we use only anonymised or non-sensitive project information in AI prompts, and personal identifying information, financial details and legally privileged content are not entered into AI systems.
Storage A copy of each paid self-service report is stored on encrypted, access-controlled systems for 12 months, so that your report link keeps working. AI tool providers do not retain client data for training purposes under the terms we operate under (Anthropic API commercial usage).
Third-party access Client information is not shared with third-party AI services beyond the tools listed in this disclosure. Other service providers that handle information to run the site, such as payments, hosting and email, are listed in the privacy policy. If a new AI tool is introduced, this disclosure will be updated.
Opt-out Clients may ask for an Architect Led engagement to be handled without AI assistance at any stage. This will not affect service quality: our principals are fully capable of delivering those services without AI tools. The self-service reports are generated by AI and cannot be provided without it.

Limitations & commitments

AI tools are not infallible. We apply the following commitments to manage their limitations responsibly.

Professional advice is signed off by an architect. The Feasibility Study Report, and any advice, report or assessment we give you as a practice, is reviewed and approved by a registered architect or qualified specialist before it reaches you. The Site Intelligence Report and the Place History Report are automated assessments, are not reviewed individually and are not professional advice; they should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a registered architect or town planner.

Currency of information. AI models have knowledge cut-off dates and may not reflect the most current planning controls, NCC editions, or heritage listings. Our reports use live state planning data where it is available, and they list anything they could not confirm. On Architect Led work we verify critical information against current primary sources before relying on it.

Ongoing review. Our use of AI tools is reviewed regularly. This disclosure will be updated when tools change, when our practices evolve, or when new guidance from professional bodies or regulators is issued.

This disclosure was last reviewed: October 2026. Questions about our AI use may be directed to hello@plicoadvisory.com.