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The AI Question in Scoping

Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, from the phones in our pockets to the software shaping our workdays. Whether you’re dictating a message, running spellcheck, or letting your calendar auto-schedule, you’re already using AI in ways you might not even notice.

But in the world of court reporting and scoping, the question feels a little more loaded:
Should scopists use AI, and if so, how far is too far?

It’s a debate that’s growing louder across the industry. Some court reporters are wary, concerned about accuracy and professionalism. Others are curious, exploring how AI might help streamline repetitive tasks or support growing workloads.

Let’s unpack the conversation, and look at how scopists can approach AI with both curiosity and care.

What We Mean by “AI”

When we talk about AI in the context of scoping, it’s important to clarify what we actually mean.
AI doesn’t always mean robots transcribing your audio or machines taking over your job.

In fact, many scopists are already using AI tools without labeling them as such.

Common AI Tools You Might Already Be Using

ChatGPT or Gemini – brainstorming phrasing trying to comprehend complex sentences, or generating client emails.
Grammarly or ProWritingAid – catching grammar inconsistencies and polishing tone.
Notion AI or ClickUp AI – summarizing notes, organizing client details, or creating task lists from plain text.

These tools don’t replace the scopist’s expertise, they simply make certain parts of the process faster and more efficient.

AI, in its simplest form, is a productivity partner. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks or responsibilities involved.

AI and the Scopist

If you’ve heard court reporters express hesitation or frustration about AI, their concerns come from a real place.

Accuracy, trust, and professionalism are the cornerstones of this industry, and AI, by nature, can sometimes blur those lines.

Top Concerns About AI in Scoping

Loss of Accuracy
AI doesn’t understand nuance, context, or tone like a trained scopist. It might misinterpret legal phrasing or miss industry-specific shorthand.
Erosion of Trust
Reporters rely on scopists for human judgment, the ability to interpret meaning and make editorial decisions. Machine-assisted work can sometimes feel “cold” or mechanical.
Risk to Reputation
Submitting AI-edited transcripts without proper human review can damage credibility and professional relationships.

The truth? AI can make mistakes faster than any human ever could. Without oversight, what feels like a shortcut could create weeks of cleanup work.

Where AI Can Help (Without Replacing You)

Used thoughtfully, AI can support scopists by simplifying admin tasks and creative problem-solving — not by replacing skill or judgment.

Smart, Ethical Ways to Use AI in Scoping

Brainstorming Phrasing and Word Choice
When a sentence doesn’t sound right, AI can explain what the speaker might have said or been trying to say when audio has failed.
Drafting Client Communications
From reminder emails to preference questions, AI can help you write faster and stay consistent with your tone.
Organizing Client Preferences
Tools like Notion or Airtable can summarize notes, update client style sheets, or track recurring feedback.
Reducing Administrative Work
AI-powered schedulers, task managers, and note-takers can automate repetitive logistics so you can focus on transcripts.

When AI supports your process, not replaces it, it becomes a time-saving partner in your workflow.

Best Practices for Scopists Considering AI

If you’re curious about bringing AI into your workflow, the key is to do it responsibly.

Four Principles to Keep You on Track

Always Human-Review the Final Transcript
No matter what AI helps you with, the final product should always pass through a skilled human eye.
Be Transparent with Clients
Many reporters appreciate knowing what tools you use, especially if it improves efficiency without sacrificing quality.
Use AI for Efficiency, Not Accuracy
AI can help you save time and stay organized, but you are the expert when it comes to context, tone, and detail.
Keep Learning
The tech landscape is changing fast. Staying informed ensures you can adapt and remain competitive.

The Future of AI in Scoping

The conversation around AI in scoping is still unfolding. As tools become more sophisticated, we’ll likely see even more ways to integrate them safely and creatively.

Imagine AI that flags inconsistencies, suggests phrasing that might be what’s being said when audio fails, or tracks client-specific preferences automatically. That future isn’t far off.

But no matter how advanced the tools get, the human touch will remain essential.
A scopist’s intuition, understanding tone, cadence, and the subtle rhythm of human speech, can’t be replicated.

That’s why AI should support, not substitute, the people who make transcripts truly shine.

Friend, Foe, or Just a Tool?

AI isn’t the enemy, but it isn’t a savior either. It’s simply a tool, and its value depends on how you use it.

For scopists, the opportunity lies in balance:
? Use AI to streamline, not substitute.
? Embrace innovation, but guard your craftsmanship.
? Experiment, but always lead with integrity and skill.

AI isn’t going anywhere — so the real question isn’t if you’ll use it, but how you’ll use it.

So what do you think?

Is AI your friend, your foe, or just another tool in your kit?
Share your experiences and insights, the future of scoping might just depend on the conversation we start today.

In the world of court transcripts, where the mundane meets the bizarre — occasionally — lies a
realm where scopists embark on adventures sometimes that are akin to the game of “Never
Have I Ever.” Did you ever play that game growing up?

Here’s a BTS of the transcript. Ready?

Picture this: A defendant, determined to outwit the system, adds in major complications for me
by weaving his own let’s call it “G” language in with English, his first language.

Instead of the English word “twenty,” he introduces us to the highly cryptic G language version,
“twigenty.” When I first heard it, I played the audio again and again and thought to myself, “Is he
speaking Italian?” Not quite.

This defendant, trying his level best to prove that his intelligence is far superior to any
government official secretly listening to his calls, peppered his speech with the letter ‘g,’
rendering his recorded jail phone calls a confusing puzzle for the uninitiated, namely me.

However, the veteran government official helped me out four lines down by interpreting every
single word in high detail. After all, according to him, he spent dozens and dozens of hours
listening to the defendant’s G language.

Needless to say, I secretly giggled and then began cackling at how silly this was and how
desperate this made the defendant look to the official, the jury, his legal advisor, the judge, and
anyone within earshot, including myself.

This official recited every word in English with a very flat, unamused, monotone delivery that
made me laugh for the next 40 pages of this “Never Have I Ever” transcript.

As a scopist, tasked with the very serious duty of transcribing the sometimes untranscribable
spoken word, I found myself thrust into eight hours of deciphering gibberish. Each ‘twigenty’
(twenty) and ‘phugone’ (phone) added a layer of intrigue to an already quirky transcript full with
made-for-TV content. Did I mention the defendant was representing himself? It was like
decoding a secret language spoken by criminals cosplaying kindergarten children during recess.

But amidst the chaos and confusion, there was a measure of fun that I had in all this madness. I
contacted the court reporter to ask how on earth she wanted me to handle these words. Her
answer was simple, phonetically and leave a check at each place. After some more giggles, I
did just that.

Each stroke of the keyboard, in that section, felt like unraveling a cryptic clue in a story that
would lead the victim of this crime to hopefully getting justice and prove to this short-sighted
criminal that they weren’t as clever as they thought they were with, fingers crossed, a jury
returning a guilty verdict.

The defendant’s linguistic game transformed a routine job into one of my favorite “Never Have I
Ever” transcripts.

Oftentimes while scoping, challenges are not hurdles to overcome but rather opportunities for
creativity and amusement. Whether it’s deciphering a defendant’s linguistic games or navigating
the complexities of legal jargon, punctuation, style, and format, every transcript is a story waiting
to be told by the skilled record keepers, court reporters, with us, scopists and proofreaders, by
their side.

So the next time you find yourself knee-deep in a sea of gibberish — transcripts or life —
remember this: Embrace the quirks, enjoy the eccentricities, and let the curiosity and
commitment to a well-kept record guide you through the world of scoping. After all, in the game
of “Never Have I Ever,” every transcript is a wild card waiting to be played.

If you haven’t already checked out our free assessment to determine whether or not you are up for all of the gibberish, eccentrics, and legal jargon of scoping, click on the link and find out for yourself today.

AI AND SCOPING: FRIEND, FOE, OR JUST A TOOL?