AI and GIS are transforming how land professionals plan and deliver projects. Predictive mapping, automated workflows, and digital platforms promise speed and scale. But technology alone isn’t enough.

As Leon Law, Vice President of Technology Solutions, sees it: the future of land work depends on how well we help people adopt these tools, not just how quickly we innovate.

“Technology is not a one-and-done. You’ve got to commit to it and constantly enhance it. It’s part of business life—you can’t just stop it.”

Leon’s perspective isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about solving problems in a way that makes sense for teams, clients, and communities. And as LandSolutions marks 25 years of growth and change, his message is clear: adoption is what will define the next chapter.

From SaaS to Land Access: A Career Built on Solving Problems

Leon didn’t set out to work in land and right-of-way. Early in his career, he was focused on software development and product strategy. But a chance interview introduced him to the land industry—and the opportunity to bring a problem-solving mindset to a space that was just beginning to explore digital transformation. What drew him in was the opportunity to make an impact. He saw an industry where practical innovation—grounded in purpose—could help teams work smarter and solve real operational challenges.

Since then, Leon has helped teams move from manual workflows to scalable systems, always with a focus on solving—not just digitizing—operational challenges.

“Technology Is Just One Part of the Solution”

Leon’s philosophy is simple: technology alone doesn’t solve business problems. “Solutions always have a technology component, a process component, and a people component,” he says. That mindset has shaped how he leads and how he builds systems that support the day-to-day reality of land operations.

“In business, we don’t just have technology to have technology. If you do that, you’re going to find other challenges.”

One example: Leon led a shift from ArcGIS Online to ArcGIS Enterprise.  

• ArcGIS Online is like renting an Airbnb —you show up, the essentials are there, and you can start using it right away.

• ArcGIS Enterprise is like building your own house—you design it to fit your exact needs, but you also maintain it.  

The move gave his team more control and flexibility, but the real success came from what happened around the tech—hiring a dedicated administrator, training the team, integrating with other applications, and building internal support systems to ensure adoption.

AI Is Powerful—But Only If You Know Why You’re Using It

Leon is also realistic about the limits of tech. He’s seen companies jump into AI and automation without clear goals, only to be disappointed by the results. His advice? Start with the problem. Know what you’re trying to solve. And make sure your team is ready to adopt the solution.

“You’ve got to really know what your goals are, and set targets and ways to measure before you dive into it.”

He’s quick to point out that in land work, soft skills still matter. “Technology can assist,” he says, “but when you’re out there talking to another person, it’s an art form.” Whether it’s negotiating with landowners or coordinating with agencies, human connection is still at the heart of the work.  Technology’s role is to assist by making information readily available, providing a means of data capture, and enhancing or summarizing information for analysis and informed decision making.

Supporting Teams from the Inside Out

Leon believes that internal teams deserve the same level of support as external clients. In support of that philosophy, he’s championed investments in training platforms that give employees access to thousands of courses—from project management to AI literacy.

“We’re bettering their skills. These tools aren’t just unique to -LS—they’re transferable. We’re developing people, not just systems.”

It’s about building capacity. When people are trained and supported, they’re better equipped to solve problems, adapt to change, and deliver value. And in an industry that’s constantly evolving, that kind of readiness is key.

What Land Professionals Can Take Away

Innovation isn’t just about adding the newest tools. It’s about whether those tools actually change the way work gets done. That only happens when people understand the purpose, when processes support them, and when teams feel ready to adopt the change.

Adoption is slow, messy, and ongoing—but it’s also where the real impact happens. As Leon puts it:

“You’re not going to get adoption if you just say, ‘Here’s a new app—go use it.’ You have to support people, upskill them, train them, and then keep evolving as both technology and their needs change."

The past 25 years have shown how much the industry can evolve. The next 25 will be defined not just by what tools emerge, but by how well we bring people along with them.