Automation index
How much of a Copy editor’s job can AI already do?
A checker and a first pass come earlier. Keeping the author’s voice and not inserting a typo do not.
This percentage does not predict how many people will lose their jobs.
Task comparison
IS WORK OVER?
Copy editor
31%
AI can already do 31% of this job.
#32 / 623
View rankingCopy editor
Where the time goes
Task weights are our estimates based on O*NET frequency data, not time shares published by O*NET.
The time saving for each task is estimated separately.
| Task | Share | AI | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
Spelling, agreement and consistency.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 52% | +9.4 |
Style, repetition and sentence rhythm.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 48% | +7.7 |
Queries to the author, grey areas and the house style.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 28% | +4.5 |
Second proofs, PDF and last-minute typos.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 22% | +4 |
Deadlines with publisher, layout and translation.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 18% | +2.9 |
Judgement, not over-rewriting, and the typo that remains.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 14% | +2.2 |
| Total | 100% | 31% |
Modelled workweek: 100% · Public evidence: 0% · Estimate: 100% · Confidence: Low
Skills and activities
- copy-edit
- spelling and punctuation
- unify style
- catch typos
- house style
- second proofs
- author queries
- avoid over-editing
Sources for this job· O*NET 27-3041.00· ESCO/ISCO 2641
IS WORK OVER?
Sociologist
25%
#252 / 623
View rankingSociologist
Where the time goes
Task weights are our estimates based on O*NET frequency data, not time shares published by O*NET.
The time saving for each task is estimated separately.
| Task | Share | AI | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
Surveys, tables and a first report.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 48% | +8.6 |
Design the research and the questions.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 28% | +4.5 |
Field, interviews and groups.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 22% | +3.5 |
Public client, ethics and outreach.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 18% | +2.9 |
Literature, theory and review.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 16% | +2.9 |
Not selling a chart that does not say that.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 14% | +2.2 |
| Total | 100% | 25% |
Modelled workweek: 100% · Public evidence: 0% · Estimate: 100% · Confidence: Low
Skills and activities
- Surveys, tables and a first report
- Design the research and the questions
- Field, interviews and groups
- Public client, ethics and outreach
- Literature, theory and review
- Not selling a chart that does not say that
- sociologo
- sociologist
Sources for this job· O*NET 19-3041.00· ESCO/ISCO 2632