Applying Artificial Intelligence in Right-of-Way Acquisition: Practical Uses, Policy Constraints, and Legal Considerations
Tom Pannett was a panelist for “Applying Artificial Intelligence in Right-of-Way Acquisition: Practical Uses, Policy Constraints, and Legal Considerations” at the 2026 Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference (OTEC). The panel was part of “Improving Project Certainty: Tools, Technology, and Risk in Right-of-Way and Utility Coordination,” a session that also included Douglas Briggs (Environmental Design Group), Fritz Crosier (Franklin County Engineer’s Office), Brian Davidson (ODOT), Drew Gilmore (ODOT), Elford Jackson (RK&K Engineers), and Douglas Raters (Environmental Design Group).
Tom addressed how AI tools can support valuation and litigation in eminent domain matters, from stress testing legal arguments before trial to reviewing opposing expert reports for mathematical errors, weak comparables, and unsupported conclusions. He also discussed how data analytics can move valuation away from subjective opinion and toward objective, multi-variable analysis, and how AI can produce clearer courtroom visualizations, strengthen expert testimony, and assist with cross-examination preparation.
Responsible use was a central theme. Tom emphasized transparency, confidentiality, data privacy compliance, and verifiable data sources with auditable outputs, and cautioned against bias and “black box” systems. His takeaway was direct. If a tool can’t explain its methodology, it shouldn’t be used in an eminent domain matter.
