How AI can help you navigate layoffs, according to one executive producer at Xbox

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It has been a tough week at Microsoft. Following the information that on the firm, one Xbox govt provided some questionable phrases of recommendation for folks on their method out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.

, Matt Turnbull, an govt producer at Xbox Recreation Studios Publishing who clearly didn’t lose his job just lately, took to LinkedIn to let of us know, “You are not alone and you do not have to go it alone.” In the identical breath as acknowledging that AI evokes “sturdy emotions in folks,” Turnbull advised that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot may “assist scale back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”

Turnbull went on to supply particular AI prompts that he beneficial for just lately laid-off folks, together with, “Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a couple of job posting.” He defined how an LLM may assist overwhelmed builders in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and likewise assist with “emotional readability and confidence.”

The put up was circulated by Necrosoft Video games director and host Brandon Sheffield, the place it obtained a predictably unfavorable response. According to Video Games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers have been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the put up a number of hours later. Here is the complete textual content from the LinkedIn put up:

These are actually difficult occasions, and for those who’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 these kind of instruments engender sturdy emotions in folks, however I would be remiss in not attempting to supply one of the best recommendation I can below 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 circumstances that may assist for those who’re feeling overwhelmed:

Profession Planning Prompts:
“Act as a profession coach. I have been laid off from a [role] within the sport 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 sport trade jobs may I pivot to with expertise in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?”

Resume & Linkedin Assist
“Here 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 sport improvement.”

Networking & Outreach
“Draft a pleasant message I can ship to outdated coworkers letting them know I am exploring new alternatives.”
“Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a couple of job posting.”

Emotional Readability & Confidence
“I am fighting imposter syndrome after being laid off. Are you able to assist me reframe this expertise in a method that jogs my memory what I am good at?”

No Al device is a alternative in your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological power is scarce, these instruments will help get you unstuck sooner, calmer, and with extra readability.

If this helps, be at liberty to share with others in your community.

Keep form, keep good, keep related.

Turnbull’s put up, 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 12 months, and CEO Satya Nadella just 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 “substitute as many roles as they will with AI brokers.”

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