The company cut approximately 9,000 jobs last week, many in its gaming division, as it continues to shift focus and invest tens of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence.
Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, posted AI-generated prompts to LinkedIn offering laid-off workers help with career planning, résumé writing, and even emotional support.
The post, which has since been deleted, sparked swift criticism across social media where users called him 'out of touch' and 'tone-deaf.'
'These are really challenging times,' Turnbull wrote, encouraging displaced employees to use chatbots to help manage feelings of impostor syndrome and reframe their layoff experiences in a more positive light.
His message included suggestions for using AI to develop 30-day job search plans and tailor résumés for different industries.
The remarks came just days after Microsoft shut down several major studios, including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, following layoffs at Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and Bethesda.
While Microsoft has committed roughly $80 billion to expanding its AI infrastructure, critics say the company's rapid downsizing of human staff highlights a growing divide between its investment in automation and its treatment of employees.
'I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I'd be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances,' Turnbull wrote.
Daily Mail reached out to Turnbull for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
The controversy sparked by his LinkedIn post, which has since been removed, brought to light a wider discussion regarding the impact of AI on jobs.
Turnbull stressed that AI shouldn't be seen as a substitute for employees' real-world knowledge. Instead, it could assist them in overcoming obstacles "faster, calmer, and with more clarity," especially when mental resources are stretched thin.
"I realize these kinds of resources provoke intense reactions, but I would be neglecting my duty if I didn't attempt to provide the best possible guidance given the situation," he stated further.
However, experts have said that his comments lacked empathy and for the irony of recommending AI as a coping tool when Microsoft is at the forefront of AI development, potentially displacing human workers.
Turnbull's remarks were met with swift condemnation, as numerous ex-Microsoft staff and experts in the field deemed them to be lacking in empathy.
Eric Smith, a producer at Zenimax Online who was among those recently let go, reportedly said: "Jesus Christ, read the room dude."
Paul Murphy, a game creator, expressed: "I appreciate the intention, but seriously? You already employed these individuals before."
He continued, "Show them the respect they deserve and trust that they are capable of creating their own resumes."
The paradox was heightened by the fact that Microsoft, a frontrunner in AI, was simultaneously implementing significant workforce reductions.
The firm has put a lot of money into AI programs such as Copilot and ChatGPT, which are intended to assist employees with activities like composing, programming, and resolving issues.
Nevertheless, the increasing adoption of these technologies in professional settings generates worries regarding job losses and the moral questions surrounding the substitution of people with automated systems.
With countless individuals now relying on AI for assistance in both their personal and work lives, the connection between these technologies and the stability of employment is growing increasingly complicated.
Artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT and Gemini from Google havewitnessed significant expansion, particularly in the U.S., with millions currently engaging with these platforms.
ChatGPT boasts a global user base exceeding 100 million active users each month, with a considerable number of those users located in the United States.
The number of users in the US has skyrocketed, with the tool being used for a range of applications, including career coaching, resume assistance, and even mental health support.
In 2024, it was estimated that approximately 40 percent of Americans had used some form of AI, with tools like ChatGPT seeing particular growth among professionals looking to improve productivity or navigate job transitions.
The increasing use of artificial intelligence is occurring as prominent technology firms,including Microsoft, Meta, and Google, are laying off thousands of employees.
Microsoft alone cut over 25,000 jobs across multiple sectors from 2023 to 2025, with many positions in roles now being automated or supplemented by AI tools.
No comments:
Post a Comment