Laid Off? Ask the Bot: Xbox Exec Sparks Outrage After Telling Fired Devs to Use AI for Comfort

After a wave of major layoffs hit Xbox and other parts of Microsoft, one executive’s attempt to offer support didn’t go over well.

Matt Turnbull, an Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, made a post on LinkedIn suggesting that laid-off workers should turn to AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to help deal with the stress of losing their jobs. His advice quickly drew criticism, especially given the timing.

“These are really challenging times, and if you’re navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go it alone,” Turnbull wrote in the post. He went on to say he’d been experimenting with large language models to “help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”

Turnbull then shared a list of prompt ideas that people could use with AI chatbots to help with job hunting, resume editing, networking, and even dealing with imposter syndrome. One example prompt said, “Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan to regroup, research new roles, and start applying without burning out.”

He also suggested using AI to rewrite resume bullets, write LinkedIn bios, and draft warm messages to reconnect with former coworkers or reach out to new studios.

“No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity,” he wrote in closing.

The post has since been deleted, likely because it didn’t sit well with many in the games industry. With so many people out of work, and Microsoft at the same time putting billions into AI development, the message felt off. The backlash online was quick. The fact that AI might be replacing some of these very jobs didn’t help either.

One developer told Engadget they were angry about how leadership handled the layoffs overall. “I’m personally super pissed that Phil’s email to us bragged about how this was the most profitable year ever for Xbox in the same breath as pulling the lever,” they said. That developer, and others, pointed to Microsoft’s growing focus on AI as a major cause behind the job losses.

Microsoft recently said that around 30% of its code is now written by AI. CEO Satya Nadella made that statement during a tech event in April. Some insiders told Engadget that Microsoft is pushing hard to replace jobs with AI tools, and that using systems like Copilot is “no longer optional.”

The layoffs themselves were massive. On July 2, Microsoft cut around 9,000 jobs globally. That included 830 in Washington state, where many Xbox teams are based. The Xbox division has been especially hard-hit this year.

Turn 10 Studios, which made Forza Motorsport, lost most of its staff. That game series is now believed to be done. Other teams like Rare, ZeniMax Online, King, Sledgehammer Games, and Halo’s 343 Industries were also affected.

Many projects were canceled too. Perfect Dark, Everwild, and a new MMO from ZeniMax Online were all scrapped. Studios like Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog Games were closed months before. ZeniMax president Matt Firor left the company after 18 years, and longtime Rare designer Gregg Mayles also reportedly exited.

Despite all these cuts, Microsoft reported strong earnings. In the first three months of 2025, the company made $25.8 billion, and Xbox content and services grew by 8%.

But the mood among developers is anything but positive. Many are now questioning Microsoft’s direction, especially with the company investing $80 billion into AI while letting go of thousands of creative workers. Turnbull’s AI advice might have been meant to help, but for many, it just added salt to the wound.

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