An Xbox producer suggests using AI to cope with layoffs: “Helps reduce emotional burden

Matt Turnbull, from Xbox Game Studios Publishing, recommends relying on tools like ChatGPT after being laid off.

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In the midst of a wave of layoffs at Microsoft and the closure of several internal studios, one of Xbox’s executive producers has sparked controversy by offering unexpected advice to affected workers: using artificial intelligence to better manage the emotional impact of being laid off.

The post in question was made by Matt Turnbull, executive producer of Xbox Game Studios Publishing, on his LinkedIn profile. He proposed using language models like ChatGPT or Copilot to reduce the cognitive and emotional burden of losing a job, suggesting specific examples of prompts to plan a career, improve a resume, network, or even overcome imposter syndrome.

A piece of advice that hasn’t gone down well after the massive Xbox layoffs

The context couldn’t have been more sensitive. Microsoft has laid off thousands of employees since the beginning of 2024, including staff from studios like Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Turn 10. As all this was happening, the company announced a $80 billion investment in artificial intelligence, which has generated discontent among former employees and the community.

These were some of the proposals shared by Turnbull in his now-deleted post:

• “Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a position in the video game industry. Help me create a 30-day plan to reorient myself and start applying without burning out.”

• “Rewrite this section of my resume to highlight impact and metrics.”

• “I’m dealing with imposter syndrome. Can you help me rephrase this experience in a way that reminds me of my worth?”

Although Turnbull clarified that “no AI can replace your personal experience”, his message was harshly criticized by the community. Many consider it insensitive, especially coming from someone who still holds their position in the same company that has laid off colleagues they worked with.

For now, Xbox has not issued official comments on the matter. The original post was removed from LinkedIn shortly after going viral.