NCRA'S NEW MESSAGE: ADAPT OR GET LEFT BEHIND

At the 2026 NCRA Conference Expo, technology and the future of the profession were major themes. NCRA's leadership emphasized evolution and adapting to changes in technology while maintaining the human role in the profession.

NCRA has also recently issued formal AI guidance, showing that AI is no longer some distant possibility for the professionit's an issue the organization is actively addressing now.

THE REPORTER SHORTAGE ISN'T GOING AWAY

California currently reports 1,101 court-employed reporters but says it needs another 458 full-time reporters.

And nationally, the profession continues to deal with retirements, an aging workforce and a limited training pipeline.

That means the fundamental question isn't just:

Will AI replace court reporters?

It's also:

Who is going to replace the court reporters who are retiring?

THE BIG OPPORTUNITY: THIS COULD BE THE BEST TIME IN YEARS TO ENTER THE PROFESSION

The industry is simultaneously dealing with:

Retirements

Reporter shortages

More technology

More legal proceedings

Demand for accurate records

That's a fascinating story...

Sources: Judicial Branch of California; National Court Reporters Association.