Xbox Executive Producer Suggested Using AI to Cope With Job Loss

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XBOX controller. Source: Microsoft
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Key points
  1. Xbox executive producer recommends using AI to help find a new job after Microsoft layoffs. 
  2. The suggestion was shared via LinkedIn, where Matt Turner shared various job related prompts to ask generative AI for help. 
  3. The original LinkedIn post has since been deleted, but preserved through games industry coverage. 

Xbox executive producer Matt Turnbull made a LinkedIn post with the intent of helping those who had lost their jobs find a new one. Within the now deleted post, the executive producer recommended people use AI to help cope with the loss, suggesting various prompts and strategies to wield AI to aid in a job search; this news post was made in the context of Microsoft’s substantial layoffs, which affected over 9,000 employees. 

“I’ve been experimenting with ways to use LLM Al tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss,” he wrote.

He then gave example prompts for generative AI, catered to finding a new job: 

“Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan to regroup, research new roles, and start applying without burning out.” 

“What kinds of game industry jobs could I pivot to with experience in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?”  

Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing – after the Microsoft layoffs – suggesting on Linkedin that may maybe people who have been let go should turn to AI for help. He seriously thought posting this would be a good idea.

Brandon Sheffield (@brandon.insertcredit.com) 2025-07-04T03:48:10.841Z

The prompt examples go on; the LinkedIn post has since been deleted after Matt Turnbull received backlash. Brandon Sheffield, creative director of Necrosoft Games, criticized Turnbull’s post. 

“Something I’ve realized over time is people in general lack the ability to think in a broader scope and include context and eventualities. But after thousands of people get laid off from your company maybe don’t suggest they turn to the thing you’re trying to replace them with for solace,” he wrote on Bluesky. The full archived post from Matt Turbull can be found here.

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