Artificial Intelligence, digital Communication tools Journalists can explore for Audio, video transcriptions

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

One of the multitask activities we do almost everyday as journalists, content creators, rapporteur and researchers are audio and video transcriptions. This helps to embellish our works with more facts and figures, prevents quoting our sources out of context, among others.

 Unfortunately, many don't do this any longer due to tight schedules, harsh weather conditions, socioconomic engagements and other engagements. As a result, many chose to summarizing whatever the source said in a few paragraphs and move on to cover other events or script other reports. This could lead to spreading of fake news, misinformation, disinformation and other related maters.

Artificial Intelligence and digital Communication tools can save us from these embarrassment and unprofessionalism that has led the public astray. You can use most of these digital tools to transcribe or turn your speech to texts. You don't need much expertise to use them. Try them today for your interviews, audio or visual recordings. Some of them can even record and transcribe intermittently.

The tools are mostly free, accessible and easy to use although subscribing to premium packages offer you greater experiences.  One of them is Apple Dictation. You can either use it online or download from Apple store if you are using Apple gadgets. You can equally try Descript, oTranscribe or Dictanote.

 oTranscribe works perfectly well on windows (computers).

Descript and Dictanote work on both mobiles and windows. With Dictanote, all your interviewer is saying will be turned into texts as he/she is speaking. But Descript further allows you to upload your prerecorded audio or visual. All you have to do is to setup your account using your Gmail or social media accounts. Then download or install any of them on your mobile, if you don't wish to be accessing them directly on the web. 

Another tool for transcribing your voice immediately is Google Docs Voice Typing. It works mostly on Google Doc. To use it on your window, go to Google Doc. Then locate insert icon on your toolbar and enable voice recording so that you can use speech to text. Another most popular digital transcription tool is Otter.ai. You can use it on the web or download it from playstore. 

Aside live recording and transcription, you can use Otter.ai for live recordings of your meetings on zoom and other virtual platforms. Just input and save your meeting link on it and have it record your meetings for you for free. 

There are also other tools you can explore such as Microsoft Word Transcribe, Notta, Rev, Trint, Riverside, Sonix and TurboScribe: