A five-part series for contractors
The Record
AI tools say yes to almost anything. The contractor carries the risk. And in 2026, the insurance market started writing it into policies.
Five parts on AI, insurance and liability, published Tuesdays from October 20 to November 17, 2026. Each one ends with what to do this month and one question to put to your broker in writing.
By Jared Smith, founder and CEO of SymphonIQ · RSS feed
The five parts
From the vendor’s fine print to the subcontract chain.
A new part every Tuesday at 7:45 a.m. Mountain, here and on LinkedIn.
Part 1 ·
The Model Will Say Yes
Who owns AI output, and is your insurance still silent on it?
Publishes Tuesday, October 20 at 7:45 a.m. MountainOct 20, 7:45 a.m. MT
Part 2 ·
Shadow AI and the Unanswered Coverage Question
Is pasting owner data into a chatbot a covered event?
Publishes Tuesday, October 27 at 7:45 a.m. MountainOct 27, 7:45 a.m. MT
Part 3 ·
Who Signed It?
AI doesn’t change the standard of care.
Publishes Tuesday, November 3 at 7:45 a.m. MountainNov 3, 7:45 a.m. MT
Part 4 ·
What Underwriters and Sureties Now Ask About AI
Few firms can answer with documents. That’s the opening.
Publishes Tuesday, November 10 at 7:45 a.m. MountainNov 10, 7:45 a.m. MT
Part 5 ·
Down the Chain
Whose insurance pays when a sub leaks data to AI?
Publishes Tuesday, November 17 at 7:45 a.m. MountainNov 17, 7:45 a.m. MTWho it’s for
Contractors, and the people who advise them.
Owners and executives at general and specialty contractors, design-builders and engineering firms, plus their risk managers, counsel and brokers.
A scene from the work
Each part opens on a situation from project work: a crane pick, a look-ahead, a sealed submittal, a renewal, a sub’s upload.
What changed
Vendor terms, policy forms, ethics opinions, court rulings and surveys, each linked to its source.
Do this month
A short list of things to do before the next part comes out.
Ask your broker
One question to put to your broker or surety in writing.
The documents the series points to
Free to read, free to download.
Policy template
AI Use Policy for Contractors
Free, vendor-neutral policy in PDF and Word.
Contract rider
Model AI Rider for Subcontracts
Model AI provisions for subcontracts and consultant agreements, in Word or PDF.
Framework
AI risk framework for contractors
NIST AI RMF in contractor terms, a starter risk register and a 90-day start.
Guide
AI in Construction
The guide by project phase, with ten questions to ask any AI vendor.
SymphonIQ builds governed, single-tenant AI for engineering and construction. If you want to see it on real work, bring us one live project.
Bring us one live projectGeneral information, not legal or insurance advice. Talk to your broker and counsel.