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How to Create Meeting Minutes from Audio Recordings

Learn how AI transcription tools can simplify the process of creating meeting minutes from audio recordings, saving time and improving accuracy.

JPJay P
6 minutes read

Want to save time and improve meeting documentation? AI transcription tools can transform audio recordings into accurate, actionable meeting minutes, cutting down manual work by up to 90%. Here's how:

  • Why AI Tools? They capture every detail with up to 99% accuracy, help teams focus on discussions, and integrate into workflows like calendars and project management tools.
  • Top Tools Compared:
    • TalkNotes: Multilingual support, AI task analysis, $9/month.
    • Otter.ai: Real-time transcription, speaker ID, $8.33/month.
    • Jamie AI: Offline transcription, data encryption, €24/month.
  • 3-Step Process:
    1. Ensure clear audio recording.
    2. Use AI tools for transcription.
    3. Edit and organize minutes into structured formats.
FeatureOtter.aiTalkNotesJamie AI
Starting Price$8.33/month$9/month€24/month
Free Plan300 mins/month3 generation limit10 meetings/month
Key FeaturesReal-time transcription, speaker IDMultilingual, Unlimited generationsOffline transcription, strong encryption

With AI, meeting minutes become faster, clearer, and more efficient. Ready to streamline your workflow? Let’s dive deeper.

How To Use Otter AI To Transcribe Audio - Features and Overview

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Selecting an AI Transcription Tool

Picking the right AI transcription tool can save you time and effort by reducing the need for edits and ensuring accurate meeting notes. Look for features that align with your workflow and help you work more efficiently.

Key Features to Look For

When choosing a transcription tool, make sure it includes these features:

  • High Accuracy: Opt for tools that deliver at least 90% accuracy. The best options can achieve up to 98–99% accuracy [1].
  • Platform Support: Check if the tool works for both virtual and in-person recordings and integrates with popular conferencing platforms or offers standalone functionality [1].
  • Collaboration Tools: Look for features like real-time editing, multi-user access, and version control.
  • Workflow Integration: Ensure compatibility with apps like calendars, cloud storage, project management tools, and communication platforms. This can simplify your note-taking process and boost meeting productivity.

TalkNotes and Otter.ai Overview

TalkNotes

Here’s how two leading tools stack up against these criteria:

TalkNotes supports over 100 languages, offers AI-driven task analysis, generates unlimited notes, and creates complete meeting minutes. It’s available for $9 per month on a monthly plan or $7.5 per month with annual billing, making it a reliable choice for regular transcription needs.

Otter.ai stands out with live transcription, speaker identification, a user-friendly mobile app, and AI Channels for asynchronous updates.

That said, some users have pointed out Otter.ai’s challenges with speaker attribution in noisy environments. This limitation is reflected in its G2 rating of 4.4/5 [2].

For teams that need extra privacy and accuracy during complex discussions, tools like Jamie provide offline transcription with strong data encryption for added security.

Converting Audio to Meeting Minutes: 3 Steps

Once you've chosen your tool, use these steps to turn recordings into clear and concise meeting minutes.

1. Prepare for Recording

Good audio quality is crucial for accurate transcription. Set up in a quiet space, away from distractions like office noise, traffic, or air conditioning. Use a reliable microphone placed 6–8 inches from speakers to capture voices clearly.

Before starting, remind participants to:

  • Speak clearly and at a steady pace
  • Avoid interruptions
  • Minimize filler words
  • Face the microphone directly while speaking

2. Use AI for Transcription

Upload your audio file to create a transcript. Tools like TalkNotes, which offers up to 99% accuracy in over 50 languages, can save you time on edits

To get the best results:

  • Select the correct language setting
  • Enable speaker identification if the feature is available
  • Let the AI process the full recording, uploads or youtube links

For more complex discussions, AI features can help group content into easy-to-follow sections [5]. Review the final minutes to ensure they capture all important details accurately. Well-prepared minutes can streamline workflows and improve team efficiency.

Meeting Minutes Standards and Tips

Good meeting minutes rely on a clear structure and can benefit from AI tools to make the process smoother.

Writing Clear Minutes

Start by including the basics - date, time, location, and attendees - and focus on summarizing the main points of the discussion.

SectionContent to Include
Meeting DetailsDate, time, location, chairperson
Previous MinutesApproval status, any changes made
Agenda ItemsKey discussion points and outcomes
DecisionsResolutions for each topic discussed
Action ItemsTasks with assigned individuals and deadlines
Supporting MaterialsDocuments or reports referenced during the meeting
Next StepsDetails of the next meeting

Stick to one tense, avoid personal opinions, and keep the tone neutral. Highlight decisions and actions clearly to ensure everyone knows their responsibilities.

Tracking Decisions and Tasks

AI tools can help identify and organize decisions and tasks automatically, saving time and reducing errors. Clearly document each decision by noting the issue, resolution, dissent (if any), timeline, and who is responsible.

For tasks, list the specific job, assign it to someone, set a deadline, outline needed resources, and include any follow-up steps.

AI-powered tools like Tactiq can simplify this process. For example, Tactiq’s automated action item detection is a favorite among project managers. Maria Shato, a Project Manager, shares:

AI Tool Comparison

Choosing the right AI transcription tool means understanding the differences in features, pricing, and ideal use cases. Here's a breakdown to help you decide.

Tool Features and Pricing

Each tool caters to different needs and team sizes:

FeatureOtter.aiTalkNotesJamie AI
Starting Price$8.33/month (Pro)$9/month€24/month
Free Plan300 mins/month3 generation limit10 meetings/month
Key FeaturesReal-time transcription, Searchable notes100+ languages, AI task analysis, Unlimited generations, searchable notes, 24/7 supportAdvanced AI capabilities, 3-hour meeting limit, Unlimited assistant messages
Best ForLarge teams and real-time collaborationMultilingual teams and content creationSmall teams needing detailed meeting analysis

Key Considerations

When deciding which tool fits your needs, think about:

  • Monthly Usage: TalkNotes's tiered plans are ideal for consistent transcription needs, while Jamie AI is better for teams with irregular meeting schedules.
  • Integration Needs: Otter.ai provides strong integrations with platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
  • Language Support: TalkNotes supports over 100 languages, making it a great option for global teams.

Lastly, it's worth noting that Krisp offers unlimited free transcriptions with built-in noise cancellation for Microsoft Teams users, adding another option to consider.

Conclusion: Using AI for Better Meeting Minutes

AI transcription tools can save a lot of time and improve the accuracy of meeting documentation. For instance, governance teams typically spend 10 hours drafting minutes for each board meeting, and company secretaries dedicate four hours per meeting hour. With AI, these tasks can be reduced by 70–90%, saving up to seven hours each week [9][10]. Plus, these tools can achieve transcription accuracy rates as high as 98% [10].

Otter.ai research shows that 62% of users save four hours per week using AI tools [11]. These time savings contribute to noticeable boosts in productivity, as supported by user feedback and industry trends.

One user shared their experience:

"Meetgeek note taker really helps me focus on my sales pitches instead of taking notes, and automatically keeps a word-by-word record of the conversation which is vital for follow-ups and helping me connect with prospects" [6].

Adam Wire, Content Marketing Manager at OnBoard, also highlighted the benefits:

"AI has advanced capabilities to streamline this process, such as automatically transcribing discussions and summarizing key points, which enhances accuracy and saves time" [7].

Looking ahead, the future of meeting documentation lies in a collaborative approach. AI can handle transcription and initial organization, while humans refine the output and add context. This teamwork transforms meeting minutes from a tedious chore into a smooth process that boosts team communication and efficiency [8].


Turn your voice into organized notes, tasks, blogs, journal, planner and 20+ styles, instantly with TalkNotes.tech.

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