A Microsoft executive is facing backlash after suggesting that recently laid-off employees use artificial intelligence to cope with unemployment.
The company cut approximately 9,000 jobs last week, many in its gaming division, as it continues to shift focus and invest tens of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence.
Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, posted AI-generated prompts to LinkedIn offering laid-off workers help with career planning, résumé writing, and even emotional support.
The post, which has since been deleted, sparked swift criticism across social media where users called him ‘out of touch’ and ‘tone-deaf.’
‘These are really challenging times,’ Turnbull wrote, encouraging displaced employees to use chatbots to help manage feelings of impostor syndrome and reframe their layoff experiences in a more positive light.
His message included suggestions for using AI to develop 30-day job search plans and tailor résumés for different industries.
The remarks came just days after Microsoft shut down several major studios, including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, following layoffs at Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and Bethesda.
While Microsoft has committed roughly $80 billion to expanding its AI infrastructure, critics say the company’s rapid downsizing of human staff highlights a growing divide between its investment in automation and its treatment of employees.
A Microsoft executive is facing backlash after suggesting that recently laid-off employees use artificial intelligence to cope with unemployment
Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, posted AI-generated prompts to LinkedIn offering laid-off workers help with career planning, résumé writing, and even emotional support
‘I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I’d be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances,’ Turnbull wrote.
Daily Mail reached out to Turnbull for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
The debate surrounding his now-deleted LinkedIn post highlighted a broader conversation about AI’s role in the workplace.
Turnbull’s advice emphasized that AI could not replace the ‘lived experience’ of workers but suggested it could help them get ‘unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity’ in a time of limited mental energy.
‘I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I’d be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances,’ he added.
However, experts have said that his comments lacked empathy and for the irony of recommending AI as a coping tool when Microsoft is at the forefront of AI development, potentially displacing human workers.
The backlash was immediate, with many former Microsoft employees and industry professionals calling Turnbull’s comments insensitive.
Eric Smith, a Zenimax Online producer who was laid off this week, said: ‘Jesus Christ, read the room dude.’
In a now-deleted LinkedIn post, Matt Turnbull offered AI prompts for career planning and emotional support, which received criticism for its tone-deafness and sparked swift backlash
Paul Murphy, a Game designer, wrote: ‘I’m sure you’re trying to help, but WTF. You hired these folks once.’
‘At least give them the respect they’ve earned and assume they have the ability to write their own resumes,’ he added.
The irony of the situation became even more pronounced when you consider Microsoft’s role as both a leader in AI and a company overseeing large-scale layoffs.
The company has made substantial investments in AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT, which are designed to help workers with tasks like writing, coding, and problem-solving.
However, the growing use of these tools in the workplace raises concerns about the displacement of workers and the ethical implications of replacing human roles with machines.
As millions of people begin to turn to AI for personal and professional support, the relationship between these tools and job security becomes even more complex.
AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have experienced tremendous growth, especially in the United States, where millions of people are now actively using these tools.
ChatGPT alone has over 100 million active monthly users globally, with a significant portion based in the US.
The number of users in the US has skyrocketed, with the tool being used for a range of applications, including career coaching, resume assistance, and even mental health support.
In 2024, it was estimated that approximately 40 percent of Americans had used some form of AI, with tools like ChatGPT seeing particular growth among professionals looking to improve productivity or navigate job transitions.
The growing adoption of AI technologies is happening at a time when major tech companies, including Microsoft, Meta, and Google, are laying off thousands of employees.
Microsoft alone cut over 25,000 jobs across multiple sectors from 2023 to 2025, with many positions in roles now being automated or supplemented by AI tools.
