What is AI dictation? How it differs from regular voice typing
In short
AI dictation turns what you say into text that's ready to send. Regular dictation types what you say word for word, with the "um"s, the "uh"s and the corrections. AI dictation works in two steps: first it turns your voice into text, then it fixes it, removing filler words, adding punctuation and understanding when you correct yourself. So "at 5, no, at 6" comes out as "at 6".
How it works, in two steps
- From voice to text. A speech recognition model listens and writes down what you said. It can run on your computer or in the cloud.
- From raw text to ready text. The AI cleans it up: it removes filler words and repetitions, adds periods and commas, and understands the corrections you make as you speak. Some apps also adjust the tone to where you're writing (more formal in an email than in a chat).
An example
What you say:
um, hey mom, I'm leaving now, uh, I'll be there around eight, can you save me a plate
What regular dictation types:
um hey mom I'm leaving now uh I'll be there around eight can you save me a plate
What AI dictation types, like Loro:
Hey Mom, I'm leaving now. I'll be there around eight. Can you save me a plate?
How it differs from Windows or phone dictation
| Regular dictation | AI dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Filler words ("um", "uh") | Stay in the text | Removed |
| Punctuation | You say it, or it's automatic in some | On its own |
| When you correct yourself | Everything gets typed | Only the final version |
| Your names and words | Spelled however it hears them | Uses your dictionary |
| Where it works | Depends on the system or app | In any app, with a dictation app |
What it's good for
- Writing faster: you talk about three times faster than you type.
- Emails and messages that come out ready to send.
- Long prompts for AI, with all the context that's tedious to type.
- People who write all day: teachers, lawyers, accountants, doctors, business owners.
What to look for in an AI dictation app
- It works in any app, wherever your cursor is.
- It understands your language and your accent.
- It has a dictionary for your names and words.
- It's clear about what happens to your voice: whether it stays on your computer or goes to the cloud, and whether it's stored. Local or cloud: the difference.
- It has a free plan so you can try it.
To compare apps, see the Wispr Flow alternatives.
Try Loro for free
Dictate in any app and get notes from your meetings, with no bot. For Windows and Mac, no card needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is AI dictation?
It's dictation that, besides turning your voice into text, fixes it: it removes filler words, adds punctuation and understands when you correct yourself. The result is text that's ready to send.
Does AI dictation need the internet?
It depends on the app. Some only work in the cloud; others, like Loro, also work offline, with a voice model on your computer.
Which apps can I dictate in with AI?
With a dictation app like Loro, anywhere you can type: Word, Gmail, WhatsApp, ChatGPT, Excel and more.
Is it free?
Some apps have a free plan. Loro is free up to 2,000 words a week; Pro is USD 9.99 a month or USD 80 a year.
Keep reading
Voice dictation
Voice typing on Windows
How to dictate with your voice on Windows 10 and 11 using Windows + H, how to add punctuation, what to do if it doesn't work, and when an app like Loro, which cleans up your text and works offline, is worth it.
Key concepts
Local vs cloud dictation
What it means for a dictation or meeting notes app to run "on your computer" or "in the cloud", what each one gains and loses, and how Loro handles your voice.
Comparisons
Wispr Flow alternatives
The best Wispr Flow alternatives for dictating with your voice on a computer: Loro, Superwhisper, Monologue, and the free dictation built into Windows, Mac and Google Docs. Prices, languages, and which ones work offline.