Xbox producer says laid-off employees should use AI to feel better

A producer at Xbox Sport Studios has some recommendation for the thousands of people that his company just laid off: flip to AI for comfort. Sure, you learn that proper.

In a since-deleted LinkedIn post, Matt Turnbull, an government producer at Xbox for practically 14 years, addressed Microsoft’s mass layoffs of 9,000 individuals this week, together with many on the firm’s gaming division.

“These are actually difficult instances, and for those who’re navigating a layoff and even quietly making ready for one, you’re not alone and also you don’t should go it alone,” Turnbull started. To date, so good — absolutely he’ll comply with that up with a remark concerning the significance of solidarity between each remaining and laid-off workers! Nope.

“I do know a lot of these instruments engender sturdy emotions in individuals, however I’d be remiss in not attempting to supply one of the best recommendation I can underneath the circumstances. I’ve been experimenting with methods to make use of LLM AI instruments (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to assist cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss,” he continues. I’m sorry, what?

He then proceeded to record a number of ways in which laid-off workers can use AI, together with “profession planning prompts,” “resume and LinkedIn assist” and “emotional readability and confidence” (i.e. reassurance for individuals “battling imposter syndrome”).

“No AI software is a substitute on your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological power is scarce, these instruments might help get you unstuck sooner, calmer, and with extra readability,” he concluded. “If this helps, be happy to share with others in your community. Keep form, keep good, keep linked.”

Naturally, this ridiculous response was met with scorn by fellow recreation builders, particularly on Bluesky, which little doubt led him to finally delete the LinkedIn publish.

Turnbull’s baffling phrases comply with a sadly frequent sample of layoffs at Xbox within the wake of its US$69 billion acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. Since then, the corporate has laid off thousands of employees throughout its numerous divisions and closed Hello-Fi Rush maker Tango Gameworks (which was subsequently acquired by South Korean publisher Krafton), Arkane Austin (Dishonored) and Halifax’s Alpha Canine (Mighty Doom).

It’s really unclear how intensive this week’s cuts are as a result of Microsoft has declined to offer an actual quantity “out of respect” for the builders. (“Respect.”) As an alternative, many workers have been getting key updates from the likes of Bloomberg‘s Jason Schreier and Windows Central whereas ready to listen to from Microsoft immediately.

What we do know, although, is that the newest spherical of layoffs consists of the shuttering of The Initiative, the developer behind Xbox’s Perfect Dark reboot (seven years after its founding and earlier than it may even launch a recreation), practically 50 per cent of acclaimed Forza Motorsport developer Flip 10 and about 10 per cent (or 200 individuals) at King (Sweet Crush).

On high of that, Xbox cancelled the brand new fantasy recreation Everwild from Uncommon (Sea of Thieves) and Blackbird multiplayer title from ZeniMax On-line Studios (The Elder Scrolls On-line). Bloomberg even reported that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer tried out the latter recreation only a few months in the past and completely cherished it, but that also didn’t cease him from axing it. So as to add specific insult to harm, Spencer — who has made no public assertion on the layoffs — was noticed taking part in Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle across the time that the information broke, and a Bethesda employee who helped market the action-adventure game confirmed she was let go.

What makes Turnbull’s feedback about AI particularly tone-deaf is that they arrive as Microsoft is making main investments in AI. Within the first three months of 2025 alone, the company spent over US$21 billion (about C$28.6 billion) on AI. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also controversially said earlier this year that the corporate will use its nascent “Muse” AI mannequin in additional recreation improvement initiatives.

However hey, you may all the time speak to AI for those who’re feeling unhappy about layoffs!

Picture credit score: Xbox