FOR SHORTHAND TYPISTS, AI BRINGS END TO BOOM TIMES

Developments in smart voice-recognition software are drying up demand for stenographers, as Zhang Yue reports.

At the start of his career, Li Zhengjie would scour the streets, wander university campuses and even climb skyscrapers to drum up business. He quickly realized that being a freelance stenographer is hard work - even before you've landed a client.

Twelve years on, the job is still hard, but at least his income has increased.