TLDR: Following recent significant layoffs, a Microsoft Xbox executive advised affected employees to utilize AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot for emotional management and career guidance. The suggestion, made in a now-deleted LinkedIn post, has sparked widespread debate and criticism for its perceived insensitivity amidst job cuts.
In the wake of Microsoft’s latest round of substantial workforce reductions, which saw approximately 9,000 employees laid off, an executive from Xbox Game Studios has ignited a contentious discussion with his advice to affected colleagues. Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, posted on LinkedIn—a message that has since been removed—suggesting that generative AI tools could assist those grappling with the emotional and practical impacts of job loss.
Turnbull’s post, dated July 8, 2025, acknowledged the ‘challenging times’ faced by employees navigating or preparing for layoffs. He stated, ‘I’ve been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.’ He emphasized that while ‘No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience,’ these tools could ‘help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity’ when ‘mental energy is scarce.’ Turnbull even provided specific AI prompts for various scenarios, including career planning, resume building, drafting outreach messages, and fostering ’emotional clarity and confidence.’ One suggested prompt was, ‘I’m struggling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Can you help me reframe this experience in a way that reminds me what I’m good at?’
However, the advice quickly drew significant backlash. Critics widely perceived the recommendation as ‘tone-deaf’ and insensitive, particularly given that AI is often cited as a factor in job displacement within the tech industry. Social media users and commentators expressed dismay, with one Reddit user reportedly writing, ‘anyone that tells people who were fired to talk to a computer chat algorithm for therapy is insane.’ Another commentator on X described Turnbull’s response as ‘one of the most tone-deaf and cruellest things’ they had encountered. The juxtaposition of recommending company-backed AI tools to individuals just let go by the same firm was seen by many as a profound lack of empathy.
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These layoffs mark the second major round of job cuts at Microsoft this year, impacting various divisions, with reports suggesting the gaming business has been particularly hard hit, including project cancellations and studio closures. The workforce reductions come at a time when Microsoft is heavily investing in AI infrastructure, a spending trend that has reportedly impacted its profit margins. The incident underscores the ongoing tension and debate surrounding the dual role of AI as both a transformative technology and a disruptor of traditional employment.
