Xbox Under Fire for Advising Former Employees to Turn to AI for Emotional Help
Just a few days ago, Microsoft confirmed yet another round of layoffs — this time affecting around 9,000 employees globally. The cuts hit several departments including engineering, Xbox, sales, and management , leading to the cancellation of at least three Xbox games, job losses across multiple studios, and the complete closure of one development team: The Initiative .
While large-scale layoffs are always difficult, what followed next sparked widespread outrage in both tech and gaming communities.
🤖 A Tone-Deaf Response from an Xbox Executive
In the aftermath of the job cuts, Matt Turnbull , an Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, shared a now-deleted LinkedIn post offering what he described as “useful advice” to those affected by the layoffs.
Instead of offering empathy or pointing laid-off workers toward real emotional support resources, Turnbull suggested they turn to AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT for help managing their emotions and reducing cognitive stress during this difficult time.
He even went so far as to list specific prompts that users could try with AI chatbots — covering areas like:
- Career planning
- Networking strategies
- Resume and LinkedIn profile improvements
Then, almost as an afterthought, he added that no AI tool can truly replace the human experience of loss and uncertainty — as if that somehow softens the insensitivity of his suggestion.
📸 Post Deleted, but Not Forgotten
Although the original post has since been taken down, the damage was done. News outlet Aftermath managed to capture a screenshot before it disappeared, ensuring the bizarre advice didn’t go unnoticed.
Turnbull has nearly 25 years of professional experience , with over 15 years spent at Microsoft . Yet, his response seemed more like something out of a satire piece than a genuine attempt at leadership during a crisis.
🚨 No Job Is Safe at Microsoft
This latest wave of layoffs brings Microsoft’s total job cuts over the past year to over 15,000 positions — a harsh reminder that even long-time employees aren’t immune to corporate restructuring.
And in such a climate, suggesting that people seek comfort from AI rather than offering real support is not just inappropriate — it’s deeply out of touch.
