Contrasting scenarios : embracing speech recognition

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the use of caricatured contrasting scenarios
(Bødker, 2000) and how they can be used to consider potential designs for disruptive
technologies. The disruptive technology in this case is Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)
software in workplace settings. The particular workplace is the Magistrates Court of the
Australian Capital Territory.-----
Caricatured contrasting scenarios are ideally suited to exploring how ASR might be
implemented in a particular setting because they allow potential implementations to be
“sketched” quickly and with little effort. This sketching of potential interactions and the
emphasis of both positive and negative outcomes allows the benefits and pitfalls of design
decisions to become apparent.-----
A brief description of the Court is given, describing the reasons for choosing the Court for
this case study. The work of the Court is framed as taking place in two modes: Front of
house, where the courtroom itself is, and backstage, where documents are processed and the
business of the court is recorded and encoded into various systems.-----
Caricatured contrasting scenarios describing the introduction of ASR to the front of house
are presented and then analysed. These scenarios show that the introduction of ASR to the
court would be highly problematic.-----
The final section describes how ASR could be re-imagined in order to make it useful for the
court. A final scenario is presented that describes how this re-imagined ASR could be
integrated into both the front of house and backstage of the court in a way that could
strengthen both processes.