How AI might help you navigate layoffs, in response to one government producer at Xbox

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 means out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.

, Matt Turnbull, an government producer at Xbox Recreation Studios Publishing who clearly didn’t lose his job just lately, 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 individuals,” Turnbull urged that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot may “assist scale back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”

Turnbull went on to supply 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 assist 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 unfavorable response. According to Video Games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers have been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the submit just a few hours later. Here is the total textual content from the LinkedIn submit:

These are actually difficult occasions, and in case 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 robust emotions in individuals, 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 scale back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.

Listed below are some immediate concepts and use instances that 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 recreation trade. Assist me construct a 30-day plan to regroup, analysis new roles, and begin making use of with out burning out.”
“What sorts of recreation trade 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 type, shipped titles, and imaginative and prescient for recreation 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 means 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 vitality is scarce, these instruments might help get you unstuck quicker, calmer, and with extra readability.

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

Keep variety, keep sensible, keep related.

Turnbull’s submit, 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 way of the 12 months, and CEO Satya Nadella just lately 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 inside memo. One developer at Halo Studios, which was affected by the layoffs, told Engadget’s Jessica Conditt that they felt Xbox management was trying to “substitute as many roles as they will with AI brokers.”

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