This week’s sweeping layoffs at Microsoft have hit its gaming division particularly hard, leaving many industry professionals reeling. Amid studio closures and game cancellations, Xbox Game Studios executive producer Matt Turnbull offered a controversial suggestion: use AI tools like ChatGPT to ease the emotional and mental toll of job loss.
In a LinkedIn post that has since been deleted—but was captured by Aftermath—Turnbull shared that he felt compelled to offer support during what he called “really challenging times.” His advice? Leverage large language model (LLM) tools for everything from career planning and resume writing to managing imposter syndrome and staying emotionally grounded.
“These tools won’t replace your voice or your experience,” Turnbull wrote. “But when your mental energy is low, they can help you get unstuck—faster, calmer, and with more clarity.”
Turnbull acknowledged the controversy surrounding AI, particularly within creative industries like gaming, which has faced mounting layoffs and increasing anxiety about AI’s role in development pipelines. Still, he maintained that generative AI could serve as a helpful companion—not a replacement—during periods of career uncertainty.
His now-removed post included sample prompts to help laid-off workers use AI for:
- Career planning (e.g., building a 30-day action plan)
- Resume tailoring (e.g., creating versions for AAA studios or indie teams)
- LinkedIn updates (e.g., rewriting the “About” section to reflect leadership style)
- Networking support (e.g., drafting outreach messages to former colleagues)
- Emotional resilience (e.g., reframing experiences to combat imposter syndrome)
The message was likely influenced by Microsoft’s broader AI strategy. In January, the company committed $80 billion to AI infrastructure—just months before announcing it would cut up to 9,100 jobs. That tension didn’t go unnoticed: critics on social platforms like Bluesky were quick to push back on Turnbull’s recommendations, arguing that they missed the mark or felt tone-deaf in light of the job cuts.
While Turnbull’s intention may have been to offer practical support, the backlash highlights the growing unease around AI’s place in industries where creativity, human judgment, and emotional nuance are core to the craft.
The final message from his deleted post closed on a note of encouragement:
“Stay kind, stay smart, stay connected.”
In an industry undergoing rapid change—and a workforce facing mounting pressure—how we support one another may be just as important as how we adapt.
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