How AI might help you navigate layoffs, based on one government producer at Xbox

It has been a tough week at Microsoft. Following the information that on the firm, one Xbox government supplied some questionable phrases of recommendation for individuals on their method 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 prompt that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot may “assist cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”

Turnbull went on to supply particular AI prompts that he beneficial for just lately laid-off individuals, together with, “Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a few job posting.” He defined how an LLM may support overwhelmed builders in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and in addition assist with “emotional readability and confidence.”

The put up was circulated by Necrosoft Video games director and host Brandon Sheffield, the place it obtained a predictably damaging response. According to Video Games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers had been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the put up just a few hours later. Here is the total textual content from the LinkedIn put up:

These are actually difficult occasions, and in the event you’re navigating a layoff and even quietly making ready for one, you are not alone and you do not have to go it alone.

I do know all these instruments engender sturdy emotions in individuals, however I would 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 cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.

Listed here are some immediate concepts and use circumstances that may assist in the event you’re feeling overwhelmed:

Profession Planning Prompts:
“Act as a profession coach. I have been laid off from a [role] within the sport 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 sport 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 focus on affect and metrics.”
“Draft a brand new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ part that focuses on my management type, shipped titles, and imaginative and prescient for sport 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 few job posting.”

Emotional Readability & Confidence
“I am fighting imposter syndrome after being laid off. Are you able to assist me reframe this expertise in a method that jogs my memory what I am good at?”

No Al instrument is a substitute to your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological power is scarce, these instruments might help get you unstuck sooner, calmer, and with extra readability.

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

Keep sort, keep good, keep linked.

Turnbull’s put up, 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 around $80 billion on AI infrastructure by means of 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 staff that utilizing Copilot is “” in an inner 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 “exchange as many roles as they will with AI brokers.”

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