How the Stone House Group Uses AI Responsibly in Facilities Consulting

Key Takeaways

• The Stone House Group (SHG) uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) selectively to enhance the quality, speed, and depth of our consulting work, not to replace the judgment of our experienced team.
• All AI-assisted findings are reviewed and validated by our team before delivery.
• Client data is never used to train AI models, or entered into open or public AI tools.
• Clients who require an AI-free engagement will be fully accommodated.
• This policy applies to every SHG associate. This is a living policy and will continue to evolve.

Institutions rely on their facilities consultants to protect the long-term value of campus infrastructure while supporting their core mission. As AI tools become more common in professional services, clients reasonably want to know whether a firm's use of AI affects the reliability of its recommendations or the confidentiality of data. At the Stone House Group, we have addressed these questions directly through a formal, firm-wide AI Policy that governs every project, at every office, without exception.

Does the Stone House Group Use AI in Its Consulting Work?

Yes. SHG uses AI selectively to enhance the quality, speed, and depth of our consulting work. Utilizing new technologies has always been a principle of our Building Stewardship approach, which helps your campus maintain safe, efficient, and mission-aligned facilities. We believe AI is a tool that amplifies expert judgment, not one that replaces it.

Specifically, AI assists our team with the following functions:

• Synthesizing large datasets and identifying patterns in energy and facilities data
• Organizing documentation, reports, and client communications
• Accelerating research and comparing technical or financial options
• Improving consistency and reducing manual effort in repeatable workflows

By using AI to improve internal processes and service delivery, we can arrive more quickly at the recommendations that will benefit your institution. As a direct result, changes can be implemented sooner, with positive outcomes following close behind.

Who Reviews AI-Assisted Findings Before They are Sent to a Client?

Every AI-assisted finding is reviewed and approved by our team before delivery; we do not, and will never, outsource our conclusions to any automated tool. AI cannot replace the field expertise, technical judgment, and trusted relationships that you expect from SHG. It cannot walk your campus, assess building conditions, understand your operational realities, or appreciate what your campus means to your community. Our consultants do that work, and it remains the foundation of every recommendation we make.

Is Client Data Used to Train AI Models?

No. SHG uses only approved, secure platforms for all AI-assisted tasks. Client data, project information, and proprietary SHG methodologies are never entered into open or public AI tools and are never used to train AI models. All information you share with SHG remains confidential. Some templates, document structures, and formatting used across the firm reflect AI-assisted development; this is standard internal practice and does not mean your project-specific data was involved in that development.

Can a Client Request an AI-Free Engagement?

Yes. Some clients cannot use AI tools due to policy, contractual, or regulatory requirements, and others simply prefer not to. SHG accommodates both. If you require an AI-free engagement, notify your SHG project lead at the outset. We will document that requirement, communicate it to every team member, and honor it throughout the project.

In an AI-free engagement, no client data, documents, or project details will enter any AI platform. The quality and scope of our work will remain unchanged, and your project will be completed using the same professional standards SHG has applied since our founding.

How Does the Stone House Group's Certified B Corp Status Shape Its Approach to AI?

SHG is a Certified B Corporation, reflecting a firm-wide commitment to social and environmental responsibility. This extends directly to technology adoption, and especially to technology as consequential as AI. Rather than narrowly considering how AI might benefit our bottom line, we hold ourselves accountable to a standard beyond profit. We reflect broadly on whether it is being implemented responsibly, transparently, and in a way that serves the clients who place their trust in us. Our core values will always be the fixed point around which our tools, workflows, and understanding of AI revolve.

How Often Does SHG Update Its AI Policy?

Since the standards around AI use are rapidly evolving, SHG's AI Policy is a living document. We continuously monitor developments in AI technology, research emerging best practices, and stay current on relevant regulations. We also reference reputable frameworks, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework, for external guidance on responsible AI governance. SHG reviews the policy at least annually, and updates both the policy itself and our internal practices as the field develops. 

This article summarizes The Stone House Group’s official AI Policy. Download our policy here to review the complete text. 

Related SHG Services: Energy Management | Facilities/Project Management | Sustainability | Building Commissioning