After 9,000 layoffs at Microsoft, Xbox exec tells fired employees to go and talk to AI to reduce job loss pain

India Today

08-07-2025

As Microsoft did yet another round of mass layoffs last week, firing around 9,000 of its employees, one executive producer from Xbox Game Studios at the company has offered an unusual piece of advice to those affected: turn to AI chatbots for support. Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox, suggested that employees grappling with job loss might find relief and guidance by using large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or Microsoft's own Copilot. His comments, made in a now-deleted LinkedIn post, came just days after Microsoft cut 9,000 roles across the company – marking its biggest wave of layoffs in 2025.advertisement'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 do it alone,' Turnbull wrote. 'I've been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.'He acknowledged that people have mixed feelings about AI tools, especially amid concerns that automation is a major factor behind recent job cuts. Still, he maintained that tools like ChatGPT can help job seekers move forward faster and with more clarity. 'No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience,' Turnbull said. 'But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck.'
In the same post, Turnbull listed a variety of AI prompts he found helpful – from generating resume bullet points to writing outreach messages and even reframing self-doubt after a layoff. For example, he suggested asking a chatbot to act as a career coach or help rework LinkedIn bios to highlight leadership and project experience.His advice was shared with sincerity, but not everyone was impressed. The idea of using AI for emotional clarity, especially as AI itself is seen as contributing to job losses, struck a nerve with some. The post was eventually deleted, though it was first captured by Aftermath.Microsoft, meanwhile, continues to defend the layoffs as part of broader organisational restructuring. In a company email, executives said the changes are necessary to 'position the company and its teams for success in a dynamic marketplace.' While they confirmed that the gaming division was affected, the company claimed most of that unit remained intact.Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, addressed the issue in a memo to staff, saying the goal was to streamline teams and refocus on strategic areas. 'To position Gaming for enduring success... we will end or decrease work in certain areas of the business and follow Microsoft's lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness,' Spencer wrote.The recent 9,000 job cuts are part of a larger trend. Microsoft had already eliminated more than 6,000 roles in May, followed by smaller cuts in June. In 2023, the company laid off around 10,000 staff. And this is not unique to Microsoft – other tech giants are undergoing similar transformations. Meta cut around 5 per cent of its workforce as part of performance reviews earlier this year, while Google's parent company Alphabet has laid off hundreds in its transition to more AI-focused work. Amazon, too, has slashed thousands of roles across various departments, including its books and devices divisions.- Ends