It has been a tough week at Microsoft. Following the information that on the firm, one Xbox government provided some questionable phrases of recommendation for folks on their means out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.
, 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 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 instructed 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 really useful for not too long ago 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 might help overwhelmed builders in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and in addition assist with “emotional readability and confidence.”
The submit was circulated by Necrosoft Video games director and host Brandon Sheffield, the place it acquired a predictably adverse response. In accordance with Video Video games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers have been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the submit just a few hours later. Here is the complete textual content from the LinkedIn submit:
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.
I do know these kinds of instruments engender robust emotions in folks, however I might be remiss in not attempting to supply the very best recommendation I can underneath 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 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 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 type, 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 battling imposter syndrome after being laid off. Are you able to assist me reframe this expertise in a means that jogs my memory what I am good at?”
No Al instrument is a alternative on your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological vitality is scarce, these instruments may also 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 related.
Turnbull’s submit, 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 round $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 government telling staff that utilizing Copilot is “” in an inner memo. One developer at Halo Studios, which was affected by the layoffs, advised Engadget’s Jessica Conditt that they felt Xbox management was trying to “exchange as many roles as they’ll with AI brokers.”
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