It has been a tough week at Microsoft. Following the information that on the firm, one Xbox govt supplied some questionable phrases of recommendation for folks on their manner out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.
, Matt Turnbull, an govt producer at Xbox Sport Studios Publishing who clearly didn’t lose his job lately, took to LinkedIn to let people know, “You are not alone and you do not have to go it alone.” In the identical breath as acknowledging that AI evokes “robust emotions in folks,” Turnbull advised that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot might “assist scale back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”
Turnbull went on to supply particular AI prompts that he really useful for lately laid-off folks, together with, “Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a few job posting.” He defined how an LLM might help overwhelmed builders in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and likewise assist with “emotional readability and confidence.”
The publish was circulated by Necrosoft Video games director and host Brandon Sheffield, the place it acquired a predictably unfavourable response. According to Video Games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers have been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the publish a couple of hours later. This is the total textual content from the LinkedIn publish:
These are actually difficult instances, and if you happen to’re navigating a layoff and even quietly making ready for one, you are not alone and you do not have to go it alone.
I do know most of these instruments engender robust emotions in folks, however I might be remiss in not attempting to supply the perfect recommendation I can beneath the circumstances. I have been experimenting with methods to make use of LLM Al instruments (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to assist scale back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.
Listed here are some immediate concepts and use instances that may assist if you happen to’re feeling overwhelmed:
Profession Planning Prompts:
“Act as a profession coach. I have been laid off from a [role] within the recreation trade. Assist me construct a 30-day plan to regroup, analysis new roles, and begin making use of with out burning out.”
“What sorts of recreation trade jobs might I pivot to with expertise in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?”
Resume & Linkedin Assist
“This is my present resume. Give me three tailor-made variations: one for AAA, one for platform/publishing roles, and one for startup/small studio management.”
“Rewrite this resume bullet to spotlight influence and metrics.”
“Draft a brand new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ part that focuses on my management fashion, shipped titles, and imaginative and prescient for recreation improvement.”
Networking & Outreach
“Draft a pleasant message I can ship to previous coworkers letting them know I am exploring new alternatives.”
“Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a few job posting.”
Emotional Readability & Confidence
“I am battling imposter syndrome after being laid off. Are you able to assist me reframe this expertise in a manner that jogs my memory what I am good at?”
No Al device is a alternative on your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological vitality is scarce, these instruments might help get you unstuck sooner, calmer, and with extra readability.
If this helps, be happy to share with others in your community.
Keep form, keep good, keep linked.
Turnbull’s publish, nevertheless earnest, comes at a time when Microsoft is seemingly all-in on each AI and layoffs. The 9,000 job losses this week add to over . Microsoft President Brad Smith started 2025 by committing to spend around $80 billion on AI infrastructure by the yr, and CEO Satya Nadella lately shared that is now authored by AI.
Simply final week, Enterprise Insider reported on one other govt telling staff that utilizing Copilot is “” in an inner memo. One developer at Halo Studios, which was affected by the layoffs, told Engadget’s Jessica Conditt that they felt Xbox management was seeking to “exchange as many roles as they’ll with AI brokers.”
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