How AI can assist you navigate layoffs, based on one govt producer at Xbox

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 method out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.

, Matt Turnbull, an govt producer at Xbox Sport Studios Publishing who clearly didn’t lose his job not too long ago, 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 “robust emotions in folks,” Turnbull prompt that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot might “assist cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”

Turnbull went on to offer particular AI prompts that he beneficial for not too long ago 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 support 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 acquired a predictably unfavourable response. According to Video Games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers have been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the put up a couple of hours later. Here is the complete textual content from the LinkedIn put up:

These are actually difficult instances, and should you’re navigating a layoff and even quietly getting ready for one, you are not alone and you do not have to go it alone.

I do know a majority 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 cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.

Listed below are some immediate concepts and use circumstances that may assist should 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 might 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 model, 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 few 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 method that jogs my memory what I am good at?”

No Al device is a substitute on your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological power is scarce, these instruments can assist get you unstuck quicker, calmer, and with extra readability.

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

Keep variety, keep sensible, keep linked.

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 . Microsoft President Brad Smith started 2025 by committing to spend around $80 billion on AI infrastructure by means of the yr, and CEO Satya Nadella not too long ago 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 inside 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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