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How a court reporter / simultaneous captioner can use AI, task by task

O*NET 27-3092.00: Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersMedian pay $72,420/year (BLS, May 2025)15 tasksJob Zone 3: Medium preparation

Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Captioner, Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR), Court Recorder, Court Reporter, Court Stenographer, Deposition Reporter, Digital Court Reporter, Official Court Reporter, Realtime Court Reporter, Stenographer.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 59%AI-assist 17%Stays human 24%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 9 AI-ready, 2 AI-assist and 4 human-led tasks out of 15. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Proofread transcripts for correct spelling of words.Review & check · Daily
  2. Record symbols on computer storage media and use computer aided transcription to translate and display them as text.Handle the admin · Several times a day
  3. Record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies, committee meetings, and other proceedings, using computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines, or stenomasks.Write it up · Daily

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements.Be there for people · Daily
  2. Swear in witnesses.Be there for people · Daily
  3. Respond to requests during court sessions to read portions of the proceedings already recorded.Be there for people · Weekly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 9

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Record symbols on computer storage media and use computer aided transcription to translate and display them as text.

Several times a day

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 90% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to record symbols on computer storage media and use computer aided transcription to translate and display them as text.

Context: We use Acculaw Court Reporters Billing Scheduling Job Management System ABSMS and ReporterWorks.
Data: [sales, records]
System: [software]

Design an entry template and checks. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Data entry template

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you record symbols.
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [System] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 5.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Enter information into databases or software programs..

Record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies, committee meetings, and other proceedings, using computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines, or stenomasks.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies, committee meetings, and other proceedings, using computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines, or stenomasks.

Context: We use Microsoft Word and Advantage Software Total Eclipse.
Proceeding: [hearing, meeting]
Notes: [paste rough notes]

Turn into structured notes. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Proceedings notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies and committee (today).
Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check against the official record or recording.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 5.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record information from legal proceedings..

File and store shorthand notes of court session.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to file and store shorthand notes of court session.

Context: We use Microsoft Word and Advantage Software Total Eclipse.
File: [case, library]
Contents: [list]

Suggest an order and checklist. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Case file order

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you file and store shorthand notes of court session (today).
Step 2Fill in [File] and [Contents] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain the order of legal documents..

Record depositions and other proceedings for attorneys.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to record depositions and other proceedings for attorneys.

Context: We use Microsoft Word and Advantage Software Total Eclipse.
Proceeding: [hearing, meeting]
Notes: [paste rough notes]

Turn into structured notes. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Proceedings notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you record depositions and other proceedings (today).
Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check against the official record or recording.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 5.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record information from legal proceedings..

Take notes in shorthand or use a stenotype or shorthand machine that prints letters on a paper tape.

Several times a day

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to take notes in shorthand or use a stenotype or shorthand machine that prints letters on a paper tape.

Context: We use Microsoft Word and Advantage Software Total Eclipse.
Proceeding: [hearing, meeting]
Notes: [paste rough notes]

Turn into structured notes. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Proceedings notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you take notes.
Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check against the official record or recording.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record information from legal proceedings..

Transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats.

Context: We use Microsoft Word and Advantage Software Total Eclipse.
Proceeding: [hearing, meeting]
Notes: [paste rough notes]

Turn into structured notes. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Proceedings notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you transcribe recorded proceedings (today).
Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check against the official record or recording.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record information from legal proceedings..

File a legible transcript of records of a court case with the court clerk's office.

Weekly

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to file a legible transcript of records of a court case with the court clerk's office.

Context: We use Acculaw Court Reporters Billing Scheduling Job Management System ABSMS and ReporterWorks.
Documents: [transcripts, exhibits, records]
Rules: [court, office]

Make a filing checklist and naming scheme. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Filing system

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you file a legible transcript of records of a court (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Documents] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: File documents or records..

File exhibits.

Weekly

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to file exhibits.

Context: We use Acculaw Court Reporters Billing Scheduling Job Management System ABSMS and ReporterWorks.
Documents: [transcripts, exhibits, records]
Rules: [court, office]

Make a filing checklist and naming scheme. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Filing system

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you file exhibits (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Documents] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 4.4/5 · O*NET work activity: File documents or records.. Also involves: Maintain records, documents, or other files..

Verify accuracy of transcripts by checking copies against original records of proceedings and accuracy of rulings by checking with judges.

Weekly

AI is a tireless first-pass checker.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 42% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a tireless proofreader. It catches inconsistencies, missing fields and errors across documents and data, so your review time goes on what matters.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to verify accuracy of transcripts by checking copies against original records of proceedings and accuracy of rulings by checking with judges.

Context: The work draws on law and government, computers and electronics and administrative.
Records: [paste claim, title or file data, private details removed]
What they must match: [source documents, rules]

Compare item by item and list discrepancies, missing items and next steps. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Record accuracy check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you verify accuracy of transcripts (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Records] and [What they must match] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Confirm each discrepancy in the source documents.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Verify accuracy of records.. Also involves: Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations..

AI can help you prep these 2

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Proofread transcripts for correct spelling of words.

Daily

AI pre-checks against the rules; the sign-off stays with you.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI as a first-pass checker against a list of rules or standards. The final judgment and sign-off stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to proofread transcripts for correct spelling of words.

Context: The work draws on law and government, computers and electronics and administrative.
Document: [paste text]
What to check: [facts, figures, style, references]

List errors with corrections and anything to verify. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Proofread for accuracy

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you proofread transcripts (today).
Step 2Fill in [Document] and [What to check] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Accept only the fixes you agree with.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy..

Provide transcripts of proceedings upon request of judges, lawyers, or the public.

Daily

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to provide transcripts of proceedings upon request of judges, lawyers, or the public.

Context: The work draws on law and government, computers and electronics and administrative.
Topic: [forestry, weather, science]
Audience: [public, media]

Write answers to common questions. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Public questions

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide transcripts of proceedings upon request of judges, lawyers (today).
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 5.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Provide information to the general public..

These stay human 4

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Using hands on tools and objects: more than half the time · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time · Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day

Ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements.

Context: The work draws on law and government, computers and electronics and administrative.
Matter: [claim, case; no names]
Who: [counsel, colleagues]

Prepare issues to clarify and documents to bring. Then play the other party. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Legal process meeting prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you ask speakers (today).
Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 5.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues.. Also involves: Confer with court staff to clarify information..

Swear in witnesses.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to swear in witnesses.

Context: The work draws on law and government, computers and electronics and administrative.
Proceeding: [hearing, court]
Oath: [standard text]

Prepare the script and procedure. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Oath administration

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you swear in witnesses (today).
Step 2Fill in [Proceeding] and [Oath] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Administer oaths to court participants..

Respond to requests during court sessions to read portions of the proceedings already recorded.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to respond to requests during court sessions to read portions of the proceedings already recorded.

Context: The work draws on law and government, computers and electronics and administrative.
Question: [legal, procedural]
Who: [judge, court staff]

Prepare a concise question and supporting facts. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Court staff consultation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you respond to requests (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Confer with court staff to clarify information..

Log and store exhibits from court proceedings.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to log and store exhibits from court proceedings.

Context: The work draws on law and government, computers and electronics and administrative.
Evidence: [exhibits, property]
Rules: [chain of custody]

List logging and storage steps. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Evidence processing

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you log and store exhibits (today).
Step 2Fill in [Evidence] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 4.2/5
    Used in: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Speakingimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Time Managementimportance 2.8/5
    Used in: Performing Administrative Activities

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Writingimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 2.8/5
    Used in: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Social Perceptivenessimportance 2.6/5
    Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 2 new or updated tasks here: 0 AI-ready, 2 AI-assist, 0 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Perform live captioning services for meetings or events.

New in O*NET

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to perform live captioning services for meetings or events.

Context: We use Microsoft Word and Advantage Software Total Eclipse.
Here's what I have for the live captioning services: [rough notes, the facts, figures and decisions behind it]

Write a clear first draft that I can check and finish. Keep it [one page / short / formal], laid out so I can paste it into Microsoft Word or Advantage Software Total Eclipse. Use headings if they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Draft the live captioning services

Step 1Pull up the last live captioning services you did, or jot 5 rough bullets for the next one.
Step 2Paste the prompt and put those bullets in [rough notes]. Pick the length in [one page / short / formal] to match what goes into Microsoft Word or Advantage Software Total Eclipse.
Step 3Fix every [CHECK] against your source and anything else that's wrong, then compare the time with writing the live captioning services from scratch.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Transmit real-time feeds to judges and attorneys during proceedings.

New in O*NET

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a court reporter / simultaneous captioner. Part of my job is to transmit real-time feeds to judges and attorneys during proceedings.

Context: We use Acculaw Court Reporters Billing Scheduling Job Management System ABSMS and ReporterWorks.
Here's what I'm working with: [paste the real-time feeds, with private details removed]

Organize this into [a table / the fields in Acculaw Court Reporters Billing Scheduling Job Management System ABSMS or ReporterWorks / a checklist]. Point out anything missing or inconsistent, and suggest a template I can reuse next time.

10-minute exercise: Template: real-time feeds

Step 1Take a real example you handle next time it comes up (real-time feeds).
Step 2Paste it into [paste the real-time feeds] and choose the output in [a table / the fields in Acculaw Court Reporters Billing Scheduling Job Management System ABSMS or ReporterWorks / a checklist].
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

O*NET has not surveyed education and training for this occupation yet.

Software in this job

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