Latest news with #XboxGameStudiosPublishing
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
'Tone-Deaf' Xbox Producer Tells Fired Workers To Use AI For Support, Faces Backlash
In the aftermath of Microsoft confirmed latest round of mass layoffs, an Xbox executive has gone viral for his tone-deaf comments. Matt Turnbull, executive producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, advised those laid off to seek help from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to manage their emotions. Mr Turnbull took to LinkedIn to post a message where he provided the unsolicited and insensitive advice, instantly attracting backlash from the users. While Mr Turnbull deleted the post, screenshots of his write-up showed Mr Turnbull suggesting tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to "help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss". "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," Mr Turnbull wrote. He wrote that he was aware AI tools can cause "strong feelings in people" but wanted to try and offer the "best advice" under the circumstances. "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." The new Severance season is insanely good Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing - after the Microsoft layoffs — Ysqander (@Ysqander) July 4, 2025 Social media reacts As Mr Turnbull's post went viral, social media users slammed him for the suggestion and called out Microsoft for the brutal sackings. "I've been following games for a long time, and I can confidently say these writings from Phil Spencer and Matt Turnbull are two of the most tone-deaf and cruelest things I've ever read," said one user while another added: "Jerk. Let's see when time comes that we get an AI CEO replacing these un-human executives." A third commented: "It is always astonishing that these people in high management positions, with literally no consequences of their doings and multi-million dollar bonuses, riding on such a high horse, towards the people that give the games their body and soul." I've been following games for a long time, and I can confidently say these writings from Phil Spencer and Matt Turnbull are two of the most tone-deaf and cruelest things I've ever read. I hope this finally shatters the illusion for some people that Xbox is not your good buddy. — RBMango (@RazorBladeMango) July 4, 2025 Earlier this month, Microsoft confirmed it was laying off as many as four per cent or roughly 9,100, of its employees in the largest round of job cuts since 2023. The job cuts will affect employees across key Xbox divisions as the company sets out plans to invest heavily in AI by spending $80 billion in huge data centres to train AI models.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Amidst Xbox job cuts and Microsoft's AI push, Matt Turnbull promotes AI tools for helping manage layoffs
(Image via Getty Images) Microsoft continues the aggressive shift to AI investments, and now the tech giant has announced another layoff wave. This time, it affects the Xbox division too. Amidst all the turmoil and heavy investments made by Microsoft in AI, Matt Turnbull, Xbox Game Studios Publishing executive, has sparked discussions, promoting AI tools as a way to help employees navigate job losses. Matt Turnbull suggests AI as a layoff coping tool Matt Turnbull, the long-serving Executive Producer in Xbox Game Studios Publishing, has recently ignited discussions about AI tools' public endorsement to navigate job loss. Facing the logistical and emotional chaos of layoffs, Turnbull suggests using platforms like Copilot and ChatGPT to 'help reduce the emotional and cognitive load.' He further framed AI as a practical assistant during the period of scarce mental energy. Matt Turnbull suggests using AI as a layoff coping tool (Image via The specific recommendations coming from Matt Turnbull included crafting some detailed prompts. Some examples included the generation of tailored 30-day career recovery plans, seeking AI's help to combat the post-layoff imposter syndrome, and drafting networking messages to former colleagues. While the tools were acknowledged not to be replacements for human experiences, Turnbull did position them as efficiency boosters for all those who are overwhelmed. Later, but quite soon, the post by Turnbull offering advice was swiftly deleted. Microsoft pursues dual strategies with job cuts and AI ambitions Microsoft Plans to Cut 4% of Global Workforce in Latest Round of Layoffs amid Major AI Push | N18G The advice by Matt Turnbull lands against a corporate backdrop. Recently, Microsoft confirmed the elimination of approximately. 9,000 positions globally. It would impact 4% of the workforce. Reports have quite specifically cited some significant cuts in the Xbox division, which impacts studios like The Initiative, Turn 10, and ZeniMax Online, right alongside some anticipated project cancellations. It follows earlier layoffs that happened in 2024 and 2023. 1000s more jobs were lost during the period. Concurrently, Microsoft has been aggressively channeling resources to AI. The company is investing approximately. $80 billion to build out data center infrastructure, which is crucial to train advanced AI models. The push includes forming a dedicated Microsoft AI division and OpenAI's heavy backing. The entire strategy signals a clear corporate pivot, giving priority to AI development as the future growth engine, even when it's trimming the headcount elsewhere. The entire situation prompts some difficult questions. Is AI the primary tool for efficiency, which displaces the workforce, or could it be genuine support for the workforce to transition, as suggested by Turnbull? For now, actions of Microsoft—cutting jobs, while funding AI massively, suggest a belief that later drives the corporate strategy, making the former proposition feel to many like a cold comfort. Additionally, the deleted LinkedIn post speaks volumes about the sensitivity that surrounds the complex crossroads between humans and technology. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
