TL;DR In our October 23 livestream, CEO Nick Wilkie showed how easy it is to use AI for captioning in StreamText—whether you’re a solo captioner, an AV team, or an enterprise platform. From real-world use cases to a live setup demo, this session focused on making captions scalable, affordable, and accessible—without sacrificing quality or control.
Why AI Captioning Matters
The demand for real-time captioning continues to grow. From global webinars to compliance mandates, the need for fast, flexible captioning solutions is higher than ever. But delivering live captions—especially on short notice or at scale—can be challenging.
That’s where AI-powered captioning (also known as ASR, or automated speech recognition) comes in.
In our recent livestream, StreamText CEO Nick Wilkie demonstrated how AI captioning inside the StreamText platform makes it easier to:
- Serve more clients without adding headcount
- Add multilingual captions to global events
- Offer fast turnaround on last-minute jobs
- Deliver real-time captions as a managed service
“We’re seeing captioners and event teams use ASR to expand their reach, not replace their skills. It’s about flexibility and being able to say yes more often—without burning out or sacrificing quality.”
Top Questions About AI Captioning—Answered
1. How accurate is AI for captioning?
While ASR can’t yet match the nuance and precision of human captioners, the technology has shown significant improvement. StreamText’s AI captioning tool offers a high level of accuracy and is equal to any other platform on the market today. Most of the major AI caption engines are very close in accuracy.
It works best for:
- Webinars and livestreams with clear audio
- Internal meetings
- Multilingual events where speed matters most
Learn more about setting up AI Captioning in StreamText with our quickstart guide.
2. Can you improve accuracy with a glossary?
Yes—StreamText allows you to upload a glossary of key terms, acronyms, and names. This helps ensure the AI captioning engine gets things right the first time.
“The glossary helps AI spell things right,” Nick explained. “If you have branded terms or technical jargon, upload your list and you’ll see better results instantly.”
You can upload your glossary in advance or paste it directly during event setup.
3. What’s required for good audio?
ASR is only as good as the audio you feed it. Poor inputs = poor outputs. AI captioning works best with high-quality, direct audio feeds.
Pro Tips: Setting Up for Success with AI Captions
- Always test your audio feed before going live
- Use a direct feed from your source (mic, mixer, or stream)
- Minimize background noise and echo
- Always test your audio feed before going live
- Use direct audio feeds from the source
4. How do I send audio to the AI engine?
You have three options, depending on your setup:
- Browser Mic – Simple and quick for internal or one-off events
- Phone Call-In – Use a dial-in number if you’re capturing audio from a speakerphone or AV feed
- SIP Audio – Best for pro-level integration into AV and streaming workflows
Each method offers flexibility depending on how your audio is sourced.
5. Is AI captioning affordable?
Yes. Earlier this year, during our last live stream event back in April, we officially announced a 30% price reduction on our AI captions (ASR) service. This change makes it easier than ever to add AI options to your captioning menu without sacrificing profitability.
6. What support is available?
StreamText provides:
- In-depth documentation
- On-demand training videos
- Live customer support
You’re never on your own when setting up or selling AI captions.
When AI Makes Sense—and When It Doesn’t
A key takeaway from the event: AI is a tool—not a replacement.
Here’s when to use it, and when to go human:
| AI Captions Ideal For | Better With Human Captioning |
| Last-minute events | High-stakes legal or medical events |
| Webinars with clear audio | Panels with cross-talk or accents |
| Global/multilingual captions | Events with technical jargon |
| Internal meetings or trainings | Broadcast-quality captioning needs |
Some teams are now offering hybrid captioning, which uses live captioners for keynote sessions and ASR for concurrent breakout rooms. Others use AI as a backup strategy for late client requests or emergency scenarios.
A Quick Setup Demo: How to Schedule AI Captions in StreamText
Nick walked through the StreamText dashboard and set up an AI event in real time. Here’s how:
- Log in and click “Schedule Event”
- Select your audio source (browser mic, SIP, or phone)
- Choose ASR as your captioning method
- Customize the language (120+ supported)
- Toggle any reseller or subaccount settings
- Paste or upload your glossary
- Click “Save”—you’re ready to go live!
Bonus: You can also watch the full setup demo in the YouTube replay →
Real-World Use Cases: How Customers Are Using ASR
- A captioning firm used ASR to cover overlapping sessions at a virtual conference.
- A public sector client offered bilingual captions during a town hall, using ASR—speed and reach mattered more than perfection.
- A solo captioner used ASR to cover an internal training while they were booked for a separate legal event.
Bottom line: AI captions let you say “yes” more often, without outsourcing or overcommitting.
What This Means for You
Adding AI to your captioning toolkit doesn’t mean giving up control. It means:
- Capturing more revenue opportunities
- Supporting accessibility without added staff
- Serving global clients in real-time
- Managing all your events from one platform
“Our goal is to keep captioners and teams in the driver’s seat,” said Nick. “With StreamText, you own the workflow—and the relationship with the client.”
What’s Next for AI Captions?
Ready to try it for yourself? Log in to your StreamText account and schedule an AI event today.
Need help? Contact our team for one-on-one support or access to training resources.
Missed the live stream? You can watch the replay on YouTube.
