AI-based Transcriptions Fall Short Compared to the Human-Made Ones, Part 2

Why Human Transcriptions Outperform AI Transcriptions

AI-powered transcription is fast and affordable, but it still falls short in key areas compared to human-made transcripts. In part 1, we discussed the mistakes that AI can make—sometimes with humorous or viral results. However, these errors are no laughing matter when accuracy matters. At GoTranscript, we combine technology with human expertise to provide transcriptions that consistently beat AI solutions.

Main Reasons Human Transcribers Beat AI

AI tools have made strides, but there are critical problems they cannot overcome without human help. Below, we outline the major reasons why human transcription remains superior.

1. Handling Interlocution and Overlapping Speech

AI systems perform well with slow, clear monologues. However, the accuracy often falls apart when multiple people speak, especially at the same time. This is called interlocution or overlapping dialogue.

• Identifying individual speakers is hard for AI. When two or more voices overlap, AI may mix up who said what.
• Group discussions, interviews, or panel conversations often have rapid exchanges. This challenges even the best AI transcription services.
• Transcribers must track unique voices, tone, and speaking patterns to match text to the correct speaker.

A study of call center recordings in 2022 found AI speaker diarization (the process of attributing speech to speakers) was only 80% accurate (2022).

When your project needs clarity—like legal testimony or multi-person interviews—risking accuracy on software alone can cause confusion and extra editing work.

2. Decoding Strong Accents and Dialects

English is a global language, but only 30% of speakers are native (2022). That means most English speakers use it as a second or third language, often with unique accents or dialects.

• Accents can affect word pronunciation, pacing, and intonation. For AI, this makes word recognition harder.
• Studies show that speech recognition accuracy drops significantly—sometimes by over 20%—when non-native speakers are recorded (2021).
• Accents from regions such as India, Africa, or Eastern Europe can confuse AI, resulting in missed words or incorrect phrases.

Human transcribers, especially those who are native speakers or experienced with different accents, can listen for context and meaning. They can understand slang, cultural references, and idioms much better than AI alone.

For content with global participants—such as academic conferences, business webinars, or news reporting—human transcription services are vital. Read more about professional transcription services.

3. Proofreading and Attention to Detail

Top AI transcription platforms claim up to 99% accuracy. On paper, that seems impressive, but it still equals one error in every 100 words.

• In a 1,000-word transcript, that's up to 10 mistakes—enough to alter critical information, confuse readers, or damage credibility.
• Proofreading by humans is essential for high-stakes content: legal records, medical notes, or digital content for SEO.
• Errors in transcription can also lead to miscommunication, missed SEO opportunities, and reduced accessibility in online media.

A single typo in a legal transcript, for example, might change the outcome of a case. For SEO, even a small mistake could mean omitting important keywords, hurting your search ranking.

GoTranscript’s process uses both native speakers and a second layer of professional editors. This approach virtually eliminates obvious errors, ensuring that your transcript is as close to perfect as possible.

Other Limitations of AI Transcription

• Background Noise: AI is sensitive to background sounds and may skip words if music, traffic, or crowd noise is present.
• Technical Jargon: Specialized fields (like medicine or law) use terms that AI may not recognize or spell correctly without custom training.
• Homophones & Context: AI struggles to tell the difference between words like "there," "their," and "they’re" without context.

To tackle these issues, editing and proofreading by experienced humans is a must. For specialized review, explore transcription proofreading services.

Getting the Most Accurate Transcripts

• Choose native-speaking transcribers for content involving multiple speakers or accents.
• Use human editors to review transcripts generated by AI for sensitive or technical material.
• Consider professional services for automatic transcription; see automated transcription for fast turnaround, but always have a human review for accuracy.
• For projects that require ongoing transcription work, consider subscribing for regular use; see AI transcription subscription.
• If you need translated transcripts, check out text translation services or audio translation service for multilingual options.

Want to budget ahead? Review transparent transcription pricing and captioning services pricing before you start.

Conclusion: Human Touch Beats AI Transcription—Every Time

AI continues to improve, but for projects where accuracy, quality, and context matter—human transcription is best. Whether you need precise speaker identification, accent recognition, or thorough proofreading, rely on experts, not just algorithms.

GoTranscript offers a full range of solutions for every audio and video transcription need. Our human-led transcription services, closed caption services, subtitling services, and thorough proofreading ensure your content is clear, accessible, and ready for any audience.

Ready to order? Submit your files through our secure platform: order transcription or order captions today.