Hi Alistair,
My understanding is that under the new permission-based model, transcription alone no longer automatically triggers STA/WEM user billing. Users without the new billing permissions can still consume transcription from the org's global transcription pool.
For the topic detection part, I can't see a clear statement in the announcement confirming that topic detection by itself would still trigger a user-level STA/WEM charge if the user does not have the new STA/WEM billing permissions.
For your second question, my understanding is yes - in a CX2 + WEM Add-On org, you should be able to assign STA-only to some users without consuming a full WEM Add-On license, as each user can only have one add-on assigned. If both apply, WEM takes precedence.
Helpful links:
https://help.genesys.cloud/announcements/permission-based-usage-driven-billing-for-speech-and-text-analytics-sta-and-voice-transcription/
https://help.genesys.cloud/articles/add-speech-and-text-analytics-upgrade-add-on-to-your-organization/
https://help.genesys.cloud/articles/add-workforce-engagement-management-to-your-subscription/
Hope this helps and someone from community would add more.
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Phaneendra
Technical Solutions Consultant
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2026 09:31
From: Alistair Taylor
Subject: Clarification: Topic detection billing with new STA permissions
I'm looking to confirm billing behaviour around topic detection with the new Speech & Text Analytics (STA) permissions, specifically for a CX2 + WEM Add‑On organization.
https://help.genesys.cloud/announcements/permission-based-usage-driven-billing-for-speech-and-text-analytics-sta-and-voice-transcription/
For an org that is enabled for the new model:
- If a user does not have STA / WEM permissions assigned, will topic detection still be billed as WEM / STA usage if topics are detected in that user's interactions?
And one additional question:
- In a CX2 + WEM Add‑On org, can the new STA permission be used to give STA‑only capabilities (e.g. topics / analytics) to additional users without those users consuming a full WEM Add‑On license?
Thanks - any confirmation would be appreciated.
#SpeechandTextAnalytics
#GeneralQuestion
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Alistair Taylor
Presales Solutions Architect
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