A senior Xbox executive has offered a surprising suggestion to workers affected by Microsoft’s recent layoffs: use AI to cope with the emotional and mental strain.
Matt Turnbull, a leader at Xbox Game Studios, shared the advice in a LinkedIn post. Though the post has since been deleted, it drew significant attention.
Turnbull recommended tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to assist laid-off workers in areas like resume writing, career planning, and emotional resilience.
His post came after Microsoft announced a 9,100 job cut across several departments.
A large portion of these layoffs impacted Xbox’s game development studios.
A Divided Response
Turnbull’s message was quickly archived and reposted on other platforms, including Bluesky. The reactions were mixed: some praised his effort to offer guidance.
Others viewed the suggestion as tone-deaf, especially considering the rising concern that AI might be replacing creative jobs in the industry.
Microsoft has made significant investments in AI. And in January, the company pledged $80 billion toward AI infrastructure.
For some, this level of commitment to automation contrasts sharply with the widespread job losses.
This may explain why Turnbull’s message received criticism, despite his supportive tone. Still, his message attempted to strike a balance.
He acknowledged the emotional toll of layoffs and positioned AI tools as a practical resource, not a replacement for human experience.
Turnbull’s Advice
In the now-deleted post, Turnbull explained how AI could help ease the burden of job loss. He emphasized clarity, confidence, and reduced stress as key benefits.
Some of his suggested prompts included:
Career Planning
- “Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan.”
- “What jobs can I pivot to with experience in (Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc)?”
Resume and LinkedIn Updates
- “Here’s my resume. Give me three versions: one for AAA, one for publishing, and one for startups.”
- “Rewrite this bullet point to highlight results.”
- “Create a new LinkedIn bio that highlights my leadership and shipped titles.”
Networking Outreach
- “Draft a message for reconnecting with former colleagues.”
- “Write a friendly message for reaching out to someone at [studio name] about a job.”
Confidence and Mental Clarity
- “Help me overcome impostor syndrome after this layoff.”
- “Remind me of my strengths based on this resume and job description.”
Turnbull closed the message with this note:
“No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.
Why the Message Felt Controversial
Despite the intent, many found the timing and content of the message troubling. Some viewed it as a company executive deflecting responsibility.
Others took issue with the idea of turning to AI, especially in an industry where many fear that automation is replacing human creativity.
Game developers have long raised concerns about AI’s role in storytelling, art, and design. With entire studios closing, suggesting AI as a solution felt dismissive to some.
Although it’s unclear why Turnbull deleted the post, the backlash may have played a role.
