# Microsoft Unveils MAI-Transcribe-2, a Speech Model 10x Faster Than Rivals at a Fraction of the Cost

*2026-09-05 02:01 UTC · AI · 1 min read*

> Microsoft's new MAI-Transcribe-2 speech recognition model claims to be 10x faster and far cheaper than rivals from OpenAI, Google and ElevenLabs.

Microsoft AI released MAI-Transcribe-2 on September 3, positioning it as the fastest, most accurate and cheapest speech recognition model available. The model tops the FLEURS benchmark across 60 languages with a 5.2% average word-error rate, beating OpenAI's GPT-Transcribe, ElevenLabs' Scribe v2 and Google's Gemini 3.5 Transcribe.

Microsoft says the model processes long-form audio up to 10 times faster than GPT-Transcribe, while undercutting rivals on price at just $0.10 per hour of audio through the end of 2026 — a steep drop from the $0.36 launch price of its predecessor. New features include speaker diarization, word-level timestamps, keyword biasing, and automatic code-switching for mixed-language conversations like Hinglish or Spanglish.

The model is available now in public preview through Microsoft Foundry, the MAI Playground and Open Router, intensifying competition in the fast-growing market for AI transcription tools.

## Sources

- [microsoft.ai](https://microsoft.ai/news/mai-transcribe-2-is-the-fastest-most-accurate-and-cheapest-speech-recognition-model-in-the-world/)
- [neowin.net](https://www.neowin.net/news/microsofts-mai-transcribe-2-model-beats-openai-and-google-while-costing-just-010-per-hour/)

---
TechTools News · https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/2315-microsoft-unveils-mai-transcribe-2-a-speech-model-10x-faster-than-rivals-at-a
Česká verze: https://techtools.cz/tools/news/clanek/2388-microsoft-predstavil-mai-transcribe-2-recovy-model-10x-rychlejsi-nez-konkurence