# ADR 0004: Store Original Transcript as Canonical Source

## Status

Accepted

## Context

Speech-to-text systems continuously improve over time. Likewise, AI-generated summaries, action items and other derived artifacts may evolve as better models become available.

To ensure reproducibility, traceability and future reprocessing, the project requires a single immutable source of truth.

## Decision

The original transcript generated by the transcription engine is stored as the canonical transcript.

The canonical transcript is immutable and must never be modified.

A separate working transcript may be created for manual corrections such as:

- spelling corrections
- terminology normalization
- speaker name assignment
- punctuation improvements

The working transcript shall maintain a reference to the canonical transcript from which it was created.

All AI-generated artifacts (summaries, decisions, action items, knowledge objects, etc.) are derived from either the canonical transcript or a specific working transcript. The transcript version used must always be recorded.

## Consequences

- The original transcript remains permanently available.
- Future AI models can regenerate improved summaries without requiring a new recording.
- Manual corrections do not overwrite the canonical transcript.
- Traceability and reproducibility are preserved throughout the system.
- A working transcript enables manual improvements without compromising data integrity.
- Every derived artifact can reference the transcript version from which it was generated.
- Multiple working transcript revisions may coexist if required.