Will AI replace editor in chiefs?

The Editor in Chief is very safe from AI replacement as the role is primarily one of leadership, editorial vision, and ethical accountability. AI cannot take responsibility for a publication's legal standing or its cultural impact.

Low Risk · 15/100

Why AI struggles to replace this job

  • Setting the long-term creative and philosophical direction of a publication.
  • Managing diverse teams of writers and dealing with human personnel issues.
  • Representing the publication in high-stakes public settings and media appearances.
  • Making final ethical calls on stories that could have massive legal consequences.

Tasks AI could automate

  • Tracking the publication's overall traffic and revenue metrics.
  • Reviewing expense reports and budget allocations for different departments.
  • Assessing the SEO performance of various content categories.
  • Filtering through large volumes of pitches for initial screening.

The 10-year outlook

The role will become more executive-focused, requiring mastery of both creative direction and business technology. Salaries for top-tier leaders will remain high despite industry-wide downsizing.

Common questions

Will AI replace editor in chiefs?

The Editor in Chief is very safe from AI replacement as the role is primarily one of leadership, editorial vision, and ethical accountability. AI cannot take responsibility for a publication's legal standing or its cultural impact.

What is the AI replacement risk for editor in chiefs?

Editor in Chief scores 15/100 — This career is well shielded from AI replacement. Roughly 20% of the tasks in this role could be automated with current and near-future AI.

How much do editor in chiefs earn?

The US median salary for a editor in chief is about $105,000 per year, with projected employment growth of -2% over the next decade (stable).