The sweeping layoffs introduced by Microsoft this week have been especially hard on its gaming studios, however one Xbox government has an answer to “assist scale back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss”: search recommendation from AI chatbots.
In a now-deleted LinkedIn post captured by Aftermath, Xbox Sport Studios’ Matt Turnbull mentioned that he can be “remiss in not attempting to supply the very best recommendation I can underneath the circumstances.” The circumstances right here being a slew of game cancellations, services being shuttered, studio closures, and job cuts across key Xbox divisions as Microsoft lays off as many as 9,100 employees throughout the corporate.
Turnbull acknowledged that folks have some “sturdy emotions” about AI instruments like ChatGPT and Copilot, however recommended that anyone who’s feeling “overwhelmed” might use them to get recommendation about creating resumes, profession planning, and making use of for brand new roles.
“These are actually difficult occasions, and for those who’re navigating a layoff and even quietly getting ready for one, you’re not alone and also you don’t must go it alone,” Turnbull mentioned. “No AI software is a alternative in your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological vitality is scarce, these instruments may help get you unstuck quicker, calmer, and with extra readability.”
Microsoft has loudly embraced AI, having introduced plans in January to invest $80 billion into AI infrastructure previous to this newest wave of job cuts. That surroundings might need made Turnbull assume his suggestions had been affordable. Extra broadly, nonetheless, generative AI is seen by some creatives as a risk to artistic industries like gaming, which has already struggled with growing layoffs and studio closures over the last few years.
It’s unclear why Turnbull deleted his LinkedIn submit, but when the feedback on this repost made to Bluesky are any indication, creatives most likely didn’t take too kindly to his solutions.
You may learn the complete textual content of the deleted submit under:
“These are actually difficult occasions, and for those who’re navigating a layoff and even quietly getting ready for one, you’re not alone and also you don’t must go it alone. I do know some of these instruments engender sturdy emotions in folks, however I’d be remiss in not attempting to supply the very best recommendation I can underneath the circumstances. I’ve been experimenting with methods to make use of LLM AI instruments (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to assist scale back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss. Listed below are some immediate concepts and use instances that may assist for those who’re feeling overwhelmed: Profession Planning Prompts: “Act as a profession coach. I’ve 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 “Right here’s 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 influence and metrics.” “Draft a brand new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ part that focuses on my management model, 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’m exploring new alternatives.” “Write a heat intro message for reaching out to somebody at [studio name] a few job posting.” Emotional Readability & Confidence “I’m fighting imposter syndrome after being laid off. Are you able to assist me reframe this expertise in a means that jogs my memory what I’m good at?” No Al software is a alternative in your voice or your lived expertise. However at a time when psychological vitality is scarce, these instruments may help get you unstuck quicker, calmer, and with extra readability. If this helps, be happy to share with others in your community. Keep sort, keep good, keep related.”