AI + the Future of Highway Design: Opportunity, Risk + Responsibility
At the 2026 ACEC Ohio/ODOT Partnering Conference, Tom Pannett presented AI + the Future of Highway Design: Opportunity, Risk + Responsibility, a session exploring the growing influence of artificial intelligence on infrastructure and transportation.
The presentation framed AI as part of a broader shift in how projects are designed, evaluated and managed. As these tools become more embedded in engineering workflows, they are introducing new efficiencies while also raising important questions around transparency, accountability and professional judgment.
Pannett’s discussion highlighted a key consideration for the industry. As AI capabilities continue to evolve, expectations around their use may evolve as well, with potential implications for risk, responsibility and standard of care. Organizations that approach this shift thoughtfully, with a focus on governance and informed decision-making, will be better positioned moving forward.
