Peer to Peer: ILTA's Quarterly Magazine
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/1472128
23 I L T A N E T . O R G How AI Is Applicable to Legal Transcription With advancements in speech recognition platforms, as well as tools and protocols for capturing the record of proceedings, AI is more commonly being used in the process of transcribing the ultimate record of legal proceedings. When it is implemented effectively for use in speech or voice recognition, AI can help drive efficiency in the overall transcription process. However, it is a part of the process of transcription, not the whole process. Given the demand for qualified reporters and other allied professionals needed to support the litigation process, it is more critical than ever to optimize these valuable resources. AI-powered speech recognition can be employed not to replace, but rather to optimize their productivity. For example, a reporter utilizing a high-quality digital audio recording system, such as Veritext's patented Digital Reporter Console, can very easily note speaker changes, keyword identification and correction and perform such duties as read-back/playback during the proceeding, all within a purpose-built user interface with a well- integrated AI-powered speech recognition stream. The annotated rough automatic transcript can be more effectively reviewed, proofed and formatted to meet the stringent requirements for form and accuracy that legal proceedings demand. As AI speech recognition platforms continue to improve in speaker identification capability and in the application of natural language processing methods, the speed and accuracy of transcription will continue to incrementally improve. However, the level of accuracy for any particular setting relies on the factors outlined previously, such as background noise, the recording equipment, audio quality, speaker volume, language factors such as jargon, etc. There is no serious evidence that AI- powered speech recognition will advance within the next five to 10 years such that it will be able to consistently defeat those challenges; that's a job for the linguistic-oriented machine that we call the human brain. What Is Required to Aid AI in Transcription? In litigation, it is crucial that there is a court reporter present for the litigation itself. AI has become a useful tool for these jobs in the sense that it can create rough streams of text to then be edited and filtered through to confirm accuracy. Court reporters are not only present at litigation to ensure proper and efficient transcription of the audio, though, but also to be facilitators and unbiased agents of the court. This is something that AI cannot do. Rather, AI is best used as a tool for court reporters, to make the process of transcription quicker, not necessarily better. AI is, simply stated, not at the point where it can replace a court reporter in transcription. " AI is, simply stated, not at the point where it can replace a court reporter in transcription."