Will AI replace Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners?

AI can do 99% of the work Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 2 of their 14 tasks, while 11 more are ready but barely used so far. 1 still needs a person.

AI is already doing this2 · 33% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats.Mostly automated30% of time
  • Record symbols on computer storage media and use computer aided transcription to translate and display them as text.Mostly automated3% of time

AI could do this next11 · 66% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies, committee meetings, and other proceedings, using computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines, or stenomasks.20% of time
  • Record depositions and other proceedings for attorneys.15% of time
  • Proofread transcripts for correct spelling of words.13% of time
  • Verify accuracy of transcripts by checking copies against original records of proceedings and accuracy of rulings by checking with judges.5% of time
  • Provide transcripts of proceedings upon request of judges, lawyers, or the public.4% of time
  • Log and store exhibits from court proceedings.3% of time
  • Take notes in shorthand or use a stenotype or shorthand machine that prints letters on a paper tape.1% of time
  • File a legible transcript of records of a court case with the court clerk's office.1% of time
  • File and store shorthand notes of court session.1% of time
  • Respond to requests during court sessions to read portions of the proceedings already recorded.1% of time
  • Type court orders for judges.1% of time

Still needs a person1 · 1% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. People in this job already use it heavily. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 2 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 11 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Build on the 1 task that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Interpreters and Translators94%Public Relations Specialists100%Writers and Authors100%Technical Writers97%Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers88%News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists81%

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