The apprehension of court stenographers of losing their jobs once the Supreme Court fully deploys the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice-to-text transcription tools that can transcribe “Taglish” was doused with cold water by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.

This, as CJ Gesmundo made an assurance to court stenographers that they will not be replaced but rather supported by the new technology.

It was aired by the chief magistrate as he spoke at the First Regional Convention and Seminar of the Court Stenographers Association of the Philippines (COSTRAPHIL) in Tagaytay City, Cavite, recently, sharing the positive outcomes of a pilot implementation running from July 2023 to September 2024, involving the Sandiganbayan and 41 select first- and second-level courts.

Gesmundo said that using Scriptix, an AI-driven transcription platform, participating courts saw an average 50 percent reduction in transcription time, with some achieving up to an 80 percent cut.

Using the said advanced technology of transcribing led to a faster turnaround of court transcripts and allowed personnel to redirect their efforts toward more substantive judicial tasks.

It also not only improved accuracy but significantly increased, starting at 70 percent and reaching 90 to 95 percent with continued use by court personnel.

The tool also demonstrated increasing precision in handling “Taglish,” the common mix of Tagalog and English used in Philippine courtrooms.

The SC, following the successful pilot, is now acquiring licenses to implement the AI transcription platform across all levels of the Judiciary within the year.

Gesmundo stressed that court stenographers remain crucial to the Judiciary’s modernization efforts, even as it transitions to digital proceedings.

This is part of the commitment to their professional development through advancing stenographic education and fostering partnerships with academic institutions like the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and organizations such as COSTRAPHIL.

Gesmundo added that across the regions, stenographers are actively participating in specialized training sessions and conventions to strengthen their skills, adaptability, and confidence in the face of change.

Various officials also addressed the convention, including Assistant Court Administrator Maria Regina Adoracion Filomena M. Ignacio, who discussed stenographers’ duties and courtroom best practices.

Atty. Maria Teresa O. Demesa-Razal covered personnel policies and benefits, while Atty. Analiza O. Thomas-Parra spoke on the proposed new Code of Judicial Conduct for Court Personnel.

Atty. Antonio Ceasar R. Manila provided updates on the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), and Atty. Angela Marie M. De Gracia-Cruz discussed judicial innovations in court stenography.

Gesmundo reiterated his assurance that AI would not displace stenographers, but viewed it “real-time transcription technologies, AI-driven tools, and digital systems as complementary instruments, not replacements, which will enable you to meet the growing demands of our courts while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.”

He assured the stenographers that they are “in every sense, the memory of the courtroom, and as the Judiciary evolves, as courts transform, must be better equipped, supported, and valued.”