Within the framework of Lund University's e-infrastructure project, work is underway to find and procure a transcription tool that will be available to all University employees. Since this work is not yet complete, the faculty has decided to try a local solution during the autumn. The initiative is a pilot project and will be evaluated continuously during the autumn semester.
About the tool
The Department of Psychology has a powerful computer with OpenAI's transcription software Whisper installed. Whisper is a free program that is capable of transcribing 82 different languages and can also translate into English from these other languages.
The computer is not connected to any network except when it is being updated. The program is capable of transcribing files in mp3, mp4, mpeg, mpga, m4a, wav, and webm formats.
After each run, when all files are transcribed, the computer is "reinstalled" by writing an image of the computer's hard drive, as it was before the run, back onto the hard drive and encrypting the hard drive. This ensures that no traces of the files remain on the computer. The only thing that is saved from the computer to a USB stick before the computer is restored is a text file with information about the number of files that were transcribed, how long the total time of the transcribed material was, and how long the transcription took.
The transcription is not completely flawless, but it provides a good foundation to start from.
Want to use the tool?
Contact Lars Kindberg to book an appointment. You will then receive further instructions for the files to be uploaded to a USB stick.