Amidst the massive layoffs at Microsoft, which recently cut another 9,000 jobs, one of Xbox’s top executives has sparked outrage by suggesting the use of generative AI to help manage layoffs.
Amidst the massive layoffs at Microsoft, which recently cut another 9,000 jobs, one of Xbox’s top executives has sparked outrage by suggesting the use of generative AI to help manage layoffs.
This became known from a post by developer Brandon Sheffield on BlueSky, who managed to pin the post of Xbox Games Studio Publishing executive producer Matt Turnbull before it was deleted.
In his address, Turnbull acknowledged that these are difficult times, especially for those recently laid off from Microsoft. This is the fourth wave of layoffs in the past year and a half. Despite this, he, not being among the laid-off, suggested that people reduce their «emotional and cognitive load» using LLM tools, in particular Copilot, which is developed by Microsoft itself.
Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing — after the Microsoft layoffs — suggested on Linkedin that maybe people who have been let go should turn to AI for help. He seriously thought posting this would be a good idea.
— Brandon Sheffield (@brandon.insertcredit.com) July 4, 2025 at 6:48 am
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Turnbull gave examples of AI requests he believes could help in times of need: writing a resume, updating a LinkedIn profile, planning a new career, or even overcoming imposter syndrome. One prompt read: «I’m struggling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Help me reframe this so I remember where my strengths lie.»
Despite the intention to support former colleagues, the post looked so inappropriate that, as joked online, it could have been generated by AI itself. Amidst the cuts, Microsoft is investing $80 billion in the development of AI infrastructure.
At the same time, more and more CEOs are admitting that AI is indeed displacing people. The leaders of Amazon, Shopify, JPMorgan Chase, Moderna, Fiverr, Ford, and Anthropic have already spoken about the reduction. In some areas, such as call centers, the introduction of AI has even led to an increase in problems, rather than solving them.
As we previously reported, Microsoft has confirmed that it is laying off 9,100 employees, or about 4% of its workforce, in another round of layoffs. The Xbox division, known as Microsoft Gaming, and some of its already announced games have been hit hard.
