It has been a tough week at Microsoft. Following the information that 9,000 persons are being laid off on the firm, one Xbox government supplied some questionable phrases of recommendation for individuals on their approach out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.
As reported by Aftermath, Matt Turnbull, an government producer at Xbox Recreation Studios Publishing who clearly didn’t lose his job not too long ago, 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 “sturdy emotions in individuals,” Turnbull recommended that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot may “assist cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”
Turnbull went on to offer particular AI prompts that he advisable for not too long ago laid-off individuals, 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 help overwhelmed builders in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and likewise assist with “emotional readability and confidence.”
The put up was circulated on Bluesky by Necrosoft Video games director and Insert Credit score host Brandon Sheffield, the place it obtained a predictably unfavorable response. Based on Video Video games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers had been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the put up just a few hours later. This is the complete textual content from the LinkedIn put up:
These are actually difficult instances, and in case you’re navigating a layoff and even quietly making ready for one, you are not alone and you do not have to go it alone.
Increase
I do know some of these instruments engender sturdy emotions in individuals, however I might be remiss in not attempting to supply the most effective 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 cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.
Listed here are some immediate concepts and use circumstances which may assist in case you’re feeling overwhelmed:
Profession Planning Prompts:
“Act as a profession coach. I have been laid off from a [role] within the sport business. 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 business jobs may 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 affect and metrics.”
“Draft a brand new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ part that focuses on my management type, shipped titles, and imaginative and prescient for sport growth.”
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 scuffling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Are you able to assist me reframe this expertise in a approach that jogs my memory what I am good at?”
No Al instrument is a substitute in your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological power is scarce, these instruments can assist 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 related.
Turnbull’s put up, nonetheless 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 6,000 introduced in Might. Microsoft President Brad Smith started 2025 by committing to spend round $80 billion on AI infrastructure via the 12 months, and CEO Satya Nadella not too long ago shared that a big portion of his firm’s code is now authored by AI.
Simply final week, Enterprise Insider reported on one other government telling staff that utilizing Copilot is “not optionally available” in an inner memo. One developer at Halo Studios, which was affected by the layoffs, instructed Engadget’s Jessica Conditt that they felt Xbox management was seeking to “exchange as many roles as they will with AI brokers.”
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