Editors
Also called: editor, acquisitions editor, assignment editor, business editor, features editor
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing editors work
5 of 19 main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 26% when main tasks are weighted. 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
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and talk with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room before publication production (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Write text (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Talk with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Oversee publication production (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Monitor news-gathering operations to make sure utilization of all news sources (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Respond to questions from the public (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Meet frequently with artists, typesetters, layout staff, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location — some recorded AI use
- Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher — some recorded AI use
- Arrange for copyright permissions — 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: “Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work”. Try the prompt for: “Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and talk with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication”.
- Weeks 3–4: Make it a habit. Use AI 3 times a week for 15 minutes. Always check facts, numbers and names yourself.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and editors
Will AI replace editors?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 5 of the 19 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 15 of the 22 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which editor tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work; read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and talk with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication; review and approve proofs submitted by composing room before publication production.
Which editor tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources; write text; read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax. 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 98% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a editor 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.