Exactly why there is now a “shortage” today. Back in the late 80’s, I believe, emerging technology threatened to make the court reporter obsolete. As a result, court reporters banded together through unions, legislation, and licensing requirements to prevent their jobs from technologically obsolete. Now, there is a human shortage, however, as you suggest there is technology that can record and transcribe courtroom interactions.
Exactly. The better solution would involve speech-to-text software, followed by manual human editing/correction of the transcript. We can dispense with the stenographic machines.
An added bonus would involve retention of the video, and tying it to the transcript, so that people can go back and examine the demeanor and body language of the witness at the time of the statement.