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Artificial Intelligence: Professional Responsibility in an Era of Rapid Change
This session, hosted by ASLA President Bradley McCauley, brings landscape architects together to discuss responsible use of artificial intelligence, focusing on real-world practice, professional responsibility, and broader impacts.
What to Expect
A moderated conversation. No slides. No presentations.
Audience questions will be incorporated throughout.
Who Should Attend
Anyone engaged in landscape architecture practice today—whether you are using AI, exploring it, or approaching it with caution.
Groundwork: Conversations Shaping the Profession is ASLA’s presidential forum series to convene members around timely, consequential issues impacting the profession nationwide.
Artificial intelligence is already showing up in landscape architecture practice—from analysis and visualization to how work is pursued and delivered.
This Groundwork session focuses on a simple question: How do landscape architects use AI responsibly in real work?
Hosted by ASLA President Bradley McCauley, PLA, FASLA, this conversation brings together practitioners to share how AI is being used today—where it’s helping, where it introduces risk, and how professional judgment and accountability still define the work. AI is not just software. It is powered by infrastructure with real environmental and community impacts. As data centers expand, landscape architects have a role to play in how these systems are sited, designed, and integrated. At the same time, AI is changing client expectations and how value is defined across projects. |  ASLA President Bradley McCauley, FASLA, PLA |
This is not a technical training. It’s a practical, peer-driven conversation about how the profession engages AI—clearly, responsibly, and in context.
This event surpassed all previous Groundwork sessions with more than 800 people registered.
Artificial Intelligence: Professional Responsibility in an Era of Rapid Change
ASLA President Bradley McCauley hosted this session from the Groundwork series on May 18, 2026.
This discussion brings landscape architects together to talk about responsible use of artificial intelligence, focusing on real-world practice, professional responsibility, and broader impacts.
Panelists
Panelists will share real examples, highlight what’s working (and what isn’t), and explore how responsibility shows up in AI-assisted workflows.
Keith Bowers, FASLA
As the founder, former president and current Practice Leader and Advocate of Biohabitats, Keith has pioneered the practice of nature-based design, green infrastructure, and regenerative design within the landscape architecture community. As a multidisciplinary organization with a mission to Restore the Earth and Inspire Ecological Stewardship, Biohabitats practices at the crossroads between biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, environmental justice and water conservation.
Jenn Becker, ASLA
Jenn Becker is a Digital Technology Strategist at Confluence, where she co-manages the digital studio team and specializes in 3D visualization, AI research, and technology implementation. With over a decade of experience in landscape architecture and digital innovation, she develops and trains teams on advanced 3D and AI tools while driving firm-wide adoption. Jenn has presented at ASLA National and other tech conferences and collaborates with Colorado State University to advance AI research and training initiatives.
Bill Odle, ASLA
Bill Odle is President of TBG Partners and brings more than 30 years of experience guiding the firm's strategic growth and evolution. Since joining TBG in 1995, he has served in several significant leadership roles, including Managing Principal of the Houston office and Director of Strategic Planning. He is known for an authentic, collaborative leadership style and for his ongoing commitment to advancing the professions of landscape architecture and planning through his active local and national involvement with the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Urban Land Institute.
Donnie Longenecker
Donnie Longenecker is a landscape architect, entrepreneur, and educator. He currently directs the undergraduate, continuing education, and internship programs at the University of Georgia College of Environment and Design. He is also the current chair of the ASLA LARE Prep Subcommittee.
Mary McCall
Mary McCall is a professional landscape architect, and her work spans landscape architecture, clean energy, and communications. She holds an MLA from the University of Virginia and has worked on award-winning projects, including Michelle Obama's White House Kitchen Garden and The President's House at UVA. She's the founder of Quite Contrary Studios and currently serves on the ASLA Biodiversity and Carbon Drawdown Subcommittee.
Notable Resources
During this session, participants asked for existing and upcoming resources on managing the use of artificial intelligence in landscape architecture. The resources linked here are a sample of all the matierals available.
Navigating the Risks of Generative AI in Landscape Architecture
This webinar from June 2024 is designed to discuss some of the legal issues raised by the emergence of generative AI and identify strategies landscape architects can use to effectively navigate these risks.
Emergent AI in Professional Practice
This session from October 2025 presents findings from ongoing research and testing of AI tools within the field of landscape architecture.
Staying in the Loop: Balancing Automation and Identity in the AI-LA Era
This session from October 2025 explores AI’s impact and its expanding roles, as well as strategies for adapting to evolving perceptions at the intersection of technology and design.
Artificial Intelligence: It’s in Your Firm (Whether You Know It or Not)
During this session from July 2025, examine what is going on with AI, what people are using, what can be done, and how this will impact our lives. Examine the insurability ramifications and privacy concerns that the leveraging of AI may create.
Progress or Peril? AI, Environmental Stewardship, and the Future of Landscape Architecture
Coming up at ASLA 2026, WED-A02: Progress or Peril? AI, Environmental Stewardship, and the Future of Landscape Architecture will examine the environmental challenges, ethical best practices, and strategies to balance innovation with environmental stewardship and public well-being.