The Quest for Effective Transcription
We needed something that could transcribe in-person meetings without interrupting the conversation. While our current AI tools help us in other areas, we wanted a practical transcription solution that didn’t require any specialised equipment.
Our Approach and First Impressions
Our approach was simple. We wanted to keep things low-tech to see how well Otter.ai could perform in a typical meeting setup. Using a basic voice memo app on a smartphone, we recorded the meeting by placing the phone in the centre of the table, with no fancy equipment.
Once the meeting was over, we sent the audio file to ourselves via Teams and uploaded it to Otter.ai. It took about 5 minutes for Otter.ai to transcribe the entire conversation and produce a summary, highlighting key points and actions/outcomes.
We were impressed with the accuracy of the transcription, especially considering the average quality of audio. Otter.ai successfully identified individual speakers, labelling them as "Speaker 1" and "Speaker 2," and did a commendable job capturing the flow and nuances of the conversation.
The summary was also practical and usable.
Another helpful feature we found with Otter.ai is its ability to interact with the content and ask questions, effectively allowing you to interrogate the data—similar to the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot.
A Note on Privacy
Although this was a trial, we used Otter.ai’s Business Plan, which ensures that all data remains secure. Additionally, we obtained permission from everyone in the room, making sure they were aware of the recording.
Unexpected Benefits
One of the surprising advantages of this new generation of technology is how seamlessly it fits into the background, allowing us to act as if it wasn’t there. With Otter.ai handling the transcription, we were free to focus entirely on the conversation, without the constant pressure of taking detailed notes or capturing every key point. This created a more natural flow in the discussion, encouraging deeper engagement and ironically, a more human interaction.
Limitations and Observations
As much as we liked Otter.ai, we did notice a few limitations. One of the biggest challenges was post-process editing. While Otter.ai did a great job with the initial transcription, it wasn’t very flexible when it came to making corrections or edits.
Another issue was the frequent pop-ups asking us to trial or sign up for additional features, despite having already paid for the Business Plan. It felt unnecessary and annoying.
The Verdict: Does Otter.ai Fit the Bill?
In short, yes—Otter.ai fills the gap for transcribing in-person meetings. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use, making it a great tool for improving meeting productivity. While tools like Co-Pilot for Microsoft 365 may eventually offer similar capabilities, for now, Otter.ai stands out for in-person discussions when you're not near a Teams Room device.
Will we keep using it? For now, absolutely. It delivers on its promise, making our work easier without needing any specialised equipment or technical setup. If you’re looking for a transcription tool that takes the pressure off, Otter.ai is worth a try—so you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting yourself.
