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Reflections on the 71st IRWA Conference

Key reflections from the 71st IRWA Conference show a major shift in the right-of-way industry. The conversation around AI has moved from speculative to practical, while the need for standardization and the value of human expertise remain central to the profession.

By Jerris Johnson

Reflections on the 71st IRWA Conference

Rowland had the privilege of attending the 71st Annual International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Education Conference this year—and it was an incredible few days of learning, conversation, and connection.

Takeaway #1: AI is Becoming Practical

What stood out most was the shift in tone around AI. Just a year ago, the industry buzz was mostly speculative: “Will AI affect right of way work?” Now, it’s: “How do we implement this responsibly and effectively?”

We heard from professionals who have:

  • Already integrated AI into document drafting and analysis.
  • Started using AI tools for due diligence and project planning.
  • Created internal working groups to evaluate ethical AI usage.

Takeaway #2: Standardization is Still a Struggle

Whether you're in utilities, public infrastructure, or private development, the pain points are similar:

  • Legacy documents with no standard format.
  • State-specific legal requirements.
  • Turnover in agencies and field offices that disrupt process continuity.

AI like Rowland helps solve this by reading unstructured text, extracting key info, and outputting to a clean format you can reuse across teams.

Takeaway #3: The Human Element Still Matters

Despite all the automation talk, attendees emphasized the irreplaceable value of human experience:

  • Interpreting nuance in stakeholder communication.
  • Negotiating easements with landowners.
  • Applying local knowledge to title, access, and appraisal issues.

The future isn’t AI or people—it’s AI with people. Tools like Rowland are designed to elevate, not replace, the professionals doing this work.

Looking Ahead

We're excited to continue the conversation with so many new faces and reconnect with long-time industry pros. Events like IRWA remind us that the land and right of way world is evolving—and Rowland is here to support that evolution.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined a demo, or shared their insights. Until next year!

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