Machine shorthand has been used since World War I when teenage students, after just a few months' practice, scooped most of the prizes at the United States shorthand speed championships, and out-performed by far the experienced pen-writing reporters who also competed.

Immediate transcription of the machine shorthand notes is made possible by computer-aided transcription (CAT). In the Courts and Captioning venues, electronic shorthand machines record keystrokes as well as their being printed on paper tape. Computer software translates the shorthand and displays the text on a computer screen ready for editing before it is printed. CAT provides a printed transcript within minutes of the reporting of court evidence, parliamentary debate, business correspondence or meeting proceedings, by removing costly, time-wasting typing of the shorthand transcription.

In recent times, developments in technology have further assisted the reporting professions. 'Real-time' reporting permits simultaneous transcription of the spoken word, as the reporter’s or captioner’s notes are re-constituted as written text on a computer screen at the moment of writing. Thus, 'real-time' reporting allows participants in Courts, Parliamentary and business settings and hearing-impaired television viewers to see the spoken word. Since January 2001 legislation in Australia has required the captioning of television programs for the hearing-impaired, and Australian 'Real time' captioners have performed this role.

A further service to hearing-impaired students is provided by CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) reporters in lecture theatres. These reporters reproduce the spoken word visually on laptop computers for the student’s present and future use.