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Microsoft’s latest round of layoffs has sparked controversy after a company executive advised affected employees to use AI tools like ChatGPT to deal with the emotional impact of losing their jobs.
The layoffs affected around 9,000 workers and came just as Microsoft announced a new $80billion investment in artificial intelligence. While many were still processing the job cuts, Xbox executive producer Matt Turnbull shared a post on LinkedIn suggesting that AI could help ease the burden of 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,” Turnbull wrote. “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.”
Tone-deaf guidance sparks social backlash
Turnbull added that while AI tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft’s Copilot can provoke “strong feelings,” he believed they offered real support. “I’ve been experimenting with ways to use [large language model] AI tools to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss,” he said.
He even included suggested prompts for users, ranging from help with career planning and resume building to gaining “emotional clarity.” One such prompt read, “I’m struggling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Can you help me reframe this experience in a way that reminds me what I’m good at?”
Social media users did not take kindly to the suggestion. One Reddit user wrote, “anyone that tells people who were fired to talk to a computer chat algorithm for therapy is insane.”
Another commentator on X wrote that Turnbull’s response was one of “the most tone-deaf and cruellest things” they had ever seen.
Deleted post highlights leadership missteps
Turnbull has since deleted the post, but screenshots shared by tech site Aftermath preserved the message and ensured the conversation didn’t disappear.
While the intent may have been to offer support, critics argued that suggesting company-backed AI tools to those just let go by the same firm reflected a profound lack of empathy.
“I hope this finally shatters the illusion for some people that Xbox is not your good buddy,” one user quipped.
The incident comes at a time when tensions remain high over job security in the tech sector, and employers are increasingly scrutinized for the way they handle layoffs.
