Top 6 AI Skills to Learn as a Proofreader and Editor

There are a few key AI skills to learn if you want to be successful at proofreading or editing AI-generated content. The number of people using AI has increased dramatically over the past few years. And the statistics show that isn’t going to change any time soon!

If you are worried that your job is going to get taken by AI, have no fear. There are plenty of reasons why AI won’t replace humans. AI tools are designed to assist us, not replace us.

This post will explain a little about AI and then go on to outline six essential skills you can learn if you want to be great at working on AI-generated content.

What Is AI, and How Does It Work?

AI stands for artificial intelligence. In general, it is the simulation of human intelligence by something created by a human. It generally involves a computer that does the “thinking” our brains normally do.

AI systems collect, analyze, and correlate data so it can be accessed or used for various functions upon request. AI generally tries to stand out from other computer programs by exhibiting the following abilities:

• Creativity—Being able to use the data it has been given to create new things (images, text, videos, etc.).
• Learning—Creating step-by-step instructions (called algorithms) from inputted data in order to devise useful ways to complete given tasks.
• Self-correction—The ability to change and perfect algorithms to provide the best possible outcome.
• Reasoning—Picking from various algorithms to find the one most suitable for a specific task.

For example, a chatbot is fed examples of text so you can have a conversation with it like a real person. Image recognition AI can use the multitude of images it has been uploaded with to identify and describe objects within a specific picture.

Another popular application is generative AI. This can be used to create images, text, video, and other media from prompts given by a user.

AI-generated text is what most proofreaders or editors will encounter. It is often used to create content, such as web copy, blog posts, and articles, and may even be used for academic work.

Using AI has several useful applications (inspire you to get started, write a brief or outline, create headings or subheadings, etc.) You also need to be aware of potential pitfalls:

• Lack of creativity or originality
• Risk of plagiarism
• Potential ethical concerns
• Inconsistent quality
• No original insights
• Inaccurate data or facts

Being able to address these possible drawbacks is where the skills of a good proofreader or editor come in handy!

What Are the Best AI Skills to Learn?

As a proofreader or editor, it is quite possible that you will encounter writing that has been generated completely or in part by AI. To reject this type of work would mean missing out on some great opportunities. So, here are six skills that will make working on AI-generated content easier.

1. Strong Knowledge Base

Knowledge is power, and there are a few things you should know before you start working on AI content.

As a proofreader or editor, you should already possess the skills to edit content written by a human. Knowledge of proper structure, grammar, word choice, etc., will translate well to editing AI content. You may also need to rewrite certain areas to ensure the writing flows, so it would be preferable to be skilled as a writer.

On top of that, you will need to be familiar with popular AI tools like ChatGPT, know how they gather information, and understand how prompts can be used to generate text.

2. Critical Thinking

This ties into the knowledge base mentioned above. You will need some critical thinking skills so you are familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of AI content. That way, you will know common issues to look out for when editing.

Common tasks an editor might perform to perfect AI content include:

• Adding personality and extra insights.
• Checking facts.
• Humanizing language.
• Ensuring the writing matches a client’s brand voice.

Working on AI-generated writing does not mean you need a degree in computer science. But you should be able to identify any potential errors or inconsistencies in the text that commonly occur.

3. Attention To Detail

Proofreading and editing both require a keen eye for detail in order to identify mistakes and correct them accurately. You will need to learn when to fact-check AI content and how to edit for tone of voice, context, etc.

Sometimes, text produced by AI can be completely nonsensical or very inaccurate. You will need to identify these areas and fix them.

4. Efficiency

To be a successful proofreader or editor, you need to be efficient. This is especially true if you are a freelancer. Since it can be quite easy to create long documents using AI, the deadlines to get them checked over and corrected can come quickly.

You should train yourself to be able to work efficiently so you can meet all your deadlines and know what to do if you think you’re going to miss one.

5. Ethics

AI has the capacity to write almost anything. Generative AI will not think of whether something should be written or not.

When proofreading or editing AI-generated content, you will not only need to check the validity of facts and make sure there is no plagiarism, but you may also need to ensure the writing itself meets certain ethical standards.

AI can generate text that is biased, discriminatory, inaccurate, and possibly unsafe. A good proofreader or editor should be able to identify any problematic writing and either correct it or properly flag the issue for their client.

6. Keeping Current

This could be one of the most important AI skills to learn, and it is ongoing—stay up to date with advancements in AI.

AI is changing all the time, and you need to be aware of recent developments in the technology. Have discussions with your professional peers and keep yourself informed so you will be able to communicate with your clients on the most efficient way to use AI.

Being knowledgeable in all the newest AI technologies and tools will also be invaluable for your career in general. You can strengthen your resume and offer a specialized AI editing service by staying current.

Becoming a Proofreader or Editor

Despite the current influx of AI writing tools, human proofreaders and editors are still necessary. A person who is skilled in these fields will be able to spot errors in writing that an AI tool might miss. Humans are also able to read AI-generated content critically to make sure it keeps with the original intent of the writing.

If you are a human and are interested in becoming a proofreader or editor (or improving your skills if you already are one), consider taking one of our courses. There’s even a free trial if you want to see if this type of work is for you.