How AI will help you navigate layoffs, in keeping with 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 approach out: Discover solace in Microsoft Copilot.

, Matt Turnbull, an government producer at Xbox Sport Studios Publishing who clearly didn’t lose his job not too long ago, took to LinkedIn to let of us know, “You are not alone and you do not have to go it alone.” In the identical breath as acknowledging that AI evokes “robust emotions in individuals,” Turnbull instructed that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot might “assist cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”

Turnbull went on to supply particular AI prompts that he advisable for not too long ago laid-off individuals, together with, “Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a couple of job posting.” He defined how an LLM might support overwhelmed builders in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and in addition assist with “emotional readability and confidence.”

The submit was circulated by Necrosoft Video games director and host Brandon Sheffield, the place it acquired a predictably detrimental response. According to Video Games Chronicle, LinkedIn customers had been equally unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the submit a couple of hours later. This is the complete textual content from the LinkedIn submit:

These are actually difficult instances, and if you happen to’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 robust emotions in individuals, however I would be remiss in not making an attempt 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 instances which may assist if you happen to’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 might I pivot to with expertise in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?”

Resume & Linkedin Assist
“This 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 spotlight impression and metrics.”
“Draft a brand new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ part that focuses on my management fashion, shipped titles, and imaginative and prescient for sport improvement.”

Networking & Outreach
“Draft a pleasant message I can ship to previous coworkers letting them know I am exploring new alternatives.”
“Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a couple of job posting.”

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

No Al instrument is a alternative in your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological vitality is scarce, these instruments will help get you unstuck quicker, calmer, and with extra readability.

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

Keep variety, keep sensible, keep linked.

Turnbull’s submit, 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 the yr, and CEO Satya Nadella not too long ago shared that is now authored by AI.

Simply final week, Enterprise Insider reported on one other government telling workers that utilizing Copilot is “” in an inside memo. One developer at Halo Studios, which was affected by the layoffs, told Engadget’s Jessica Conditt that they felt Xbox management was seeking to “substitute as many roles as they’ll with AI brokers.”

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