Key takeaways
- Three new AssemblyAI models are now available in production on Raisetalk: Universal 2, Universal 3 Pro and Universal 3.5 Pro
- New generation: the Universal family improves transcription quality from one version to the next, up to the latest Universal 3.5 Pro
- Native GDPR pseudonymization on all three models: a capability few STT models offer (neither Voxtral nor Parakeet)
- Available in the EU and US regions: you choose where your audio is processed
- Context biasing on Universal 3 Pro and 3.5 Pro: steer transcription toward your business vocabulary
- Universal 2 is the cost-effective choice for high volumes; Universal 3.5 Pro targets maximum quality
New: three AssemblyAI Universal models available on Raisetalk
In our comparison of Speech-to-Text models, we highlighted a simple principle: transcription is the first step of any conversational analysis, and its quality directly determines the reliability of everything that follows, whether it is Quality Monitoring, Sales Compliance or listening to the Voice of the Customer.
Today, we are expanding our catalog with three new models from the AssemblyAI Universal family: Universal 2, Universal 3 Pro and Universal 3.5 Pro. They represent AssemblyAI's new generation of transcription engines, with quality that improves at each iteration, and they keep the features that matter most for professional use: pseudonymization compliant with the GDPR, diarization and multi-region availability.
AssemblyAI Universal: the characteristics of the three models
Here are the main characteristics of the three models now available:
| Characteristic | Universal 2 | Universal 3 Pro | Universal 3.5 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | Generation 2 | Generation 3 | Latest generation |
| Regions | EU & US | EU & US | EU & US |
| Diarization | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pseudonymization (GDPR) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Context biasing | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Translation | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Positioning | Cost-effective, high volumes | Quality + business vocabulary | Maximum quality |
Quick glossary
- Diarization: the ability to identify and distinguish the different speakers in a conversation ("who speaks when"), to attribute each statement to the right speaker
- Pseudonymization: automatic replacement of personal data (names, numbers, addresses, etc.) with masks, in line with the GDPR
- Context biasing: the ability to steer the model toward a specific business vocabulary (product names, technical terms, industry jargon) to improve transcription accuracy
Pseudonymization and EU/US regions: a compliance asset
This is one of the strengths of the Universal family: all three models offer pseudonymization natively. The personal data present in your conversations (names, phone numbers, banking details, etc.) can be masked directly at the transcription level.
This is a decisive criterion in regulated sectors. For sales compliance in banking, insurance and mutual insurance, the ability to analyze 100% of conversations without unnecessarily exposing personal data is a prerequisite. Few STT models offer it: neither Voxtral nor Parakeet provides pseudonymization.
On top of that comes availability in the Europe and North America regions: you decide the geographic zone where your audio is processed, an important element for data sovereignty and localization.
Context biasing: adapting transcription to your business vocabulary
Universal 3 Pro and Universal 3.5 Pro bring a feature that is particularly useful for professional use cases: context biasing.
Concretely, you can provide the model with a list of priority terms: your product names, brands, internal acronyms, industry jargon. The model then relies on these hints to better transcribe words that, without context, would easily be misspelled or confused.
The impact on analysis quality is direct: a product name transcribed correctly means an attribute extracted correctly, an accurate KPI and a search that finds the right conversations.
Which Universal model should you choose?
Our recommendation: Universal 2 for high volumes at the best cost, Universal 3 Pro or Universal 3.5 Pro when transcription quality and business vocabulary are priorities.
Universal 2 is the versatile, cost-effective choice:
- Controlled cost: ideal for transcribing high volumes of conversations
- Pseudonymization and diarization included
- EU & US: available in both regions
- Perfect for analyzing 100% of your conversations for the Voice of the Customer
Universal 3 Pro moves up a level:
- Higher transcription quality than generation 2
- Context biasing: steering toward your business vocabulary
- Suited to Quality Monitoring and Sales Compliance, where every term counts
Universal 3.5 Pro targets maximum quality:
- The most advanced of the Universal family: the latest generation, for the most demanding cases
- Context biasing also available
- Recommended when transcription accuracy is non-negotiable
Tip: the best model is not always the most expensive. For very high volumes in Voice of the Customer, Universal 2 offers an excellent quality-to-cost ratio. Reserve Universal 3.5 Pro for analyses where the slightest transcription error penalizes the decision (evaluations, compliance).
How do you enable a Universal model on Raisetalk?
On Raisetalk, the choice of STT model is made simply when you submit each analysis. You can:
- Test a Universal model on a sample of conversations and compare the results with your current models
- Mix approaches depending on your use cases: a cost-effective model for volume, a premium model for critical analyses
If you are hesitating, our article how to choose your conversational analysis solution details the criteria to consider. Our team can also help you identify the optimal configuration based on your volumes, your budget and your quality requirements.
Try it yourself
The best way to judge is to test.
Our trial space lets you transcribe your own conversations with the model of your choice: https://app.raisetalk.com/try