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 individuals on their manner out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.
, Matt Turnbull, an government producer at Xbox Sport Studios Publishing who clearly didn’t lose his job just lately, 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 really useful for just lately 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 support overwhelmed builders in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and likewise assist with “emotional readability and confidence.”
The publish was circulated by Necrosoft Video games director and host Brandon Sheffield, the place it acquired a predictably unfavorable response. In response to Video Video games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers had been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the publish a number of hours later. Here is the complete textual content from the LinkedIn publish:
These are actually difficult occasions, 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 these kinds of instruments engender sturdy emotions in individuals, however I would be remiss in not attempting to supply one of the 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 instances 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 may 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 fashion, shipped titles, and imaginative and prescient for sport growth.”
Networking & Outreach
“Draft a pleasant message I can ship to previous 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 manner that jogs my memory what I am good at?”
No Al device is a substitute in your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological vitality is scarce, these instruments will help get you unstuck sooner, calmer, and with extra readability.
If this helps, be at liberty to share with others in your community.
Keep type, keep sensible, keep linked.
Turnbull’s publish, 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 the yr, and CEO Satya Nadella just lately shared that is now authored by AI.
Simply final week, Enterprise Insider reported on one other government telling workers that utilizing Copilot is “” in an inner memo. One developer at Halo Studios, which was affected by the layoffs, informed Engadget’s Jessica Conditt that they felt Xbox management was trying to “exchange as many roles as they will with AI brokers.”
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