Xbox Producer Faces Backlash for Suggesting AI to Help Employees Cope with Job Loss

An Xbox executive producer, Matt Turnbull, has received significant backlash after suggesting that employees laid off by Microsoft use AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot to deal with the emotional and cognitive strain of job loss. This comment was made after Microsoft confirmed it would be laying off up to 9,000 workers as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative. Turnbull’s LinkedIn post, which has since been deleted, recommended AI tools for practical career planning, resume writing, and emotional support. Critics quickly labeled the suggestion as insensitive, calling it ‘disgusting’ and ‘tone-deaf,’ especially considering the human and emotional impact of layoffs. Microsoft is reportedly investing heavily in AI, with plans to spend $80 billion on data centers to train models, but Turnbull’s comments have sparked debate on the role of AI in handling personal crises. Despite the backlash, Turnbull acknowledged the difficulty of job cuts and emphasized his desire to offer ‘best advice’ during a tough time. The company, which employs 228,000 people globally, did not confirm the exact number of job cuts at Xbox, but sources suggest the video game division will be affected by these layoffs.