In a move that has sparked widespread discussion, a Microsoft Xbox executive has advised employees affected by recent layoffs to seek career and emotional support from AI chatbots like ChatGPT. This recommendation comes amidst massive ongoing job cuts at Microsoft, which have impacted thousands of its global workforce.
Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox Games Studio, shared his perspective in a LinkedIn post, which has since been removed. In the post, he had acknowledged the immense stress of job loss and proposed that AI tools could help individuals “get unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.” He suggested undergoing tasks such as resume building, career planning, and making new job applications via AI tools. Turnbull emphasised that while AI is not a substitute for human experience, it could be a valuable aid when mental energy is low.
“I’ve been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss,” wrote Turnbull.
The advice, however, has been met with caution from experts, who highlight concerns about the accuracy and reliability of AI tools for sensitive personal guidance. Even ChatGPT’s terms of service caution users against relying solely on its output.
The controversial advice comes amidst Microsoft laying off significant portions of their workforce for the second time this year, impacting approximately 9,100 employees. The Xbox division has been hit hard, leading to project cancellations. These layoffs contrast sharply with Microsoft’s substantial investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, including an announced $80 billion for AI this year.
