ABSTRACT
There are a number of potential categories under which professionalism and professional services can continue to provide value to society and business. Much professional work is about identifying opportunities, ascertaining what is permissible and possible and then balancing the risks and potential gains. The potential for automation of legal and actuarial services provided by construction professionals is enormous although there is likely to always be a need for some additional human judgement in the process. An ethical approach may or may not always be welcome to those paying for professional services, but it clearly has value once success is achieved and a reputation established for fair dealing and high standards. Specialist knowledge, for centuries vital to professionalism, has already been substantially replaced and extensively augmented by online resources, currently available through any smart phone or voice-activated service. Risk and professionalism are closely, if inversely, related.
