Archivists
Official O*NET title: Archivists (25-4011.00)
Also called: accessioning archivist, archivist, digital archivist, film archivist, museum archivist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing archivists work
9 of 13 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 69%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare archival records (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Organize archival records and develop classification systems to help with access to archival materials (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Specialize in an area of history or technology, researching topics or items relevant to collections to determine what should be retained or acquired (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Coordinate educational and public outreach programs (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques”. Try the prompt for: “Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and archivists
Will AI replace archivists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 9 of the 13 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 4 of the 13 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which archivist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques; provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials; research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
Which archivist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials; direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials; locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 85% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a archivist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Archivists ranks #61 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #34 of 63 in Education.
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