AI to Transcribe Maltese Court & Parliament Sittings Soon

Imagine this: You’re sitting in the public gallery of the Maltese Parliament or a courtroom in Valletta. The Speaker or the judge is addressing the chamber, but you’re struggling to keep up with the rapid-fire Maltese. Suddenly, a screen in front of you starts displaying a live transcription, in real-time. This isn’t science fiction; it’s a reality that could be coming to Malta’s courts and parliament soon, thanks to artificial intelligence.

AI has been making waves worldwide, from predicting weather patterns to driving cars. Now, it’s set to revolutionize Malta’s legal and political landscapes. The idea is simple: feed AI software with audio recordings of Maltese speech, and it learns to transcribe it. The software, developed by local tech companies in collaboration with the University of Malta, is already showing promising results.

“We’ve been training our AI models on a vast database of Maltese audio clips,” explains Dr. Joseph Borg, a researcher at the University of Malta’s Department of Computer Science. “From parliamentary debates to courtroom proceedings, we’re covering a wide range of Maltese accents and dialects.”

So, why should Malta embrace this AI-driven change?

• Accessibility: Live transcriptions will make parliamentary and courtroom proceedings more accessible to the public, especially those with hearing impairments or language barriers.
• Record Keeping: Accurate, searchable transcripts will improve record-keeping, making it easier to locate and reference past discussions and decisions.
• Language Preservation: By transcribing Maltese, the AI software can help preserve and promote the use of Malta’s national language.

this AI initiative aligns with Malta’s Digital Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to us technology to improve public services and enhance democracy.

While the potential is vast, there are challenges to overcome. “Maltese is a complex language with many regional variations,” says Dr. Borg. “Ensuring our AI can accurately transcribe all these nuances is a significant task.”

Next steps include refining the AI models, conducting large-scale trials in real-world settings, and addressing any privacy concerns related to audio recording and transcription. The project’s success will depend on collaboration between tech companies, the University of Malta, and the relevant government entities.

“We’re excited about the potential of this project,” says Dr. Borg. “It’s not just about transcribing speech; it’s about making our democracy more inclusive and our public services more efficient.”