Will AI replace Editors?
AI can do 79% of the work Editors do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 5 of their 21 tasks, while 11 more are ready but barely used so far. 5 still need a person.
AI is already doing this5 · 24% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.Mostly automated12% of time
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.Mostly automated9% of time
- Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.Mostly automated2% of time
- Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.Mostly automated1% of time
- Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.Mostly automatedunder 1% of time
AI could do this next11 · 55% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.13% of time
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.13% of time
- Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.7% of time
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.6% of time
- Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.4% of time
- Meet frequently with artists, typesetters, layout personnel, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems.4% of time
- Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.2% of time
- Monitor news-gathering operations to ensure utilization of all news sources, such as press releases, telephone contacts, radio, television, wire services, and other reporters.1% of time
- Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.1% of time
- Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.1% of time
- Arrange for copyright permissions.1% of time
Still needs a person5 · 21% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.7% of time
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.6% of time
- Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.5% of time
- Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.1% of time
- Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 19 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.
What to do next
- Do the 5 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 11 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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