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I’ve written in the past about using voice-to-text transcription capabilities on your iPhone. This article highlights an AI-based transcription service called Wisprflow.ai (https://wisprflow.ai) you may consider (subject to data security considerations, of course) in your practice.
Built-in tools
Apple has transcription tools built-in, which gives it an advantage as the transcription tool is integrated with the system. It’s easy to use and available by default.
Once enabled, simply tap the little microphone icon on the keyboard and start talking. What you say will be transcribed on screen. Be patient because the text that appears may change as the device figures out, in context, what you were trying to say.
What you see is not necessarily what you will get. This is a little unnerving to start, but you will get used to it.
Once the transcription is complete, use what was transcribed as-is. Or, consider selecting the text and using Apple Intelligence Writing Tools (https://www.apple.com/apple-intelligence/) to rewrite the result of your dictation into a more professional tone. While it takes two steps, it often gives you a more polished final output.
In addition, you can record your voice, using the built-in Voice Memos app and the app will transcribe that recording. The consistency of the transcription will vary, but if you need a longer recording session, this can be helpful.
Allowing the system to figure out where the punctuation goes can take a bit of getting used to. If you were like me, you learned to dictate by spelling out almost everything into a voice recorder of some type that would get transcribed by a team member. The habit is so ingrained that I sometimes find myself speaking punctuation while talking to someone. You can turn this on or off: “[t]o turn off automatic punctuation, go to Settings > General > Keyboard, then turn off Auto-Punctuation.”
While dictation gets better all the time, my experience is that you need to proofread carefully to make sure it matches proper grammar rules, and there’s not a misplaced, somewhere. (That “comma” error was intentional).
Third-party tools
There are also paid services that can help you with your transcription. One I’ve been testing is called Wispr Flow (https://wisprflow.ai/data-controls). I’ve been using it extensively in the last several days, after learning about it from a colleague.
If you read the data controls information at the link above, it will give you an idea why this may be a good fit for your law practice. Another benefit is that you can subscribe for your team.
Finally, it works on Windows, Mac, and iOS devices, a typical set up for many lawyers. No matter what device you are using, the tool is available. You can try it out for free and then subscribe.
One feature I really liked is the stats, which shows you how much you are using the tool. This is beneficial for measuring its return on investment.
In my experience, AI-based transcription is more accurate than built-in voice-to-text options and comes with more features.
Apps like Wisprflow allow you to create custom dictionaries (e.g., say the name of your team member and it spells it correctly) and shortcuts (e.g., say “my cell phone number” and it types your cell phone number), which allows you to be consistent in how you enter text across all your devices.
On your computer, simply assign a keyboard shortcut to hold down like a walkie-talkie and speak into your computer anywhere you can type text. When you let go of the keyboard button, whatever you said is typed on the screen. Alternatively, you can use a hands-free mode if you prefer, which doesn’t require you to hold the key down while dictating, which may be more to your liking.
On mobile, things are a bit more involved, at least on iOS. You install the Wisprflow app on your iPhone. Once there, it will prompt you to install a keyboard.
The keyboard essentially connects the various text boxes on your iPhone to the app. So, when you want transcribe, you choose the Wisprflow keyboard and tap the microphone.
Your iPhone will send you to the Wisprflow app and then back, allowing you to start dictating. Not exactly seamless.
For short dictations, it may not be worth it and using the built in tools would be faster and less frustrating.
For longer responses, though, it’s worth the trouble of having access to full features of Wisprflow, like the dictionaries and shortcuts listed above.
These apps are highlighting the power of AI and the positive uses in the practice of law, by leveraging a skillset many lawyers are already familiar with: dictation.•
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Seth R. Wilson is an attorney with Adler Attorneys in Noblesville. In addition to practicing law, he helps manage the day-to-day technology operations of the firm. He writes about legal technology at sethrwilson.com and is a frequent speaker on the subject.
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