How AI can help you navigate layoffs, according to one executive producer at Xbox

Microsoft has been going through a tough week after announcing the layoff of 9,000 employees, adding to the 6,000 job losses announced in May. An Xbox executive, Matt Turnbull, took to LinkedIn to offer advice to those who lost their jobs, suggesting they use Microsoft Copilot to help with their career planning and emotional well-being. Turnbull provided specific AI prompts that could aid overwhelmed developers in planning their careers, punching up their resumes, and achieving emotional clarity and confidence. However, his post received a negative reaction on LinkedIn and Bluesky, with many users expressing their disappointment and frustration. The post was eventually deleted by Turnbull a few hours later. The incident highlights Microsoft's increasing focus on AI, with the company committing to spend $80 billion on AI infrastructure this year. Microsoft President Brad Smith and CEO Satya Nadella have both emphasized the importance of AI in the company's future, with Nadella revealing that a large portion of the company's code is now authored by AI. Some employees have expressed concerns that the company is looking to replace jobs with AI agents, with one developer at Halo Studios stating that Xbox leadership is trying to replace as many jobs as possible with AI. The use of AI tools like Copilot is becoming increasingly mandatory, with one executive telling employees that using Copilot is "no longer optional" in an internal memo. The layoffs and increased focus on AI have created a sense of uncertainty and anxiety among Microsoft employees, with many feeling that their jobs are at risk of being replaced by automation. Overall, the situation at Microsoft reflects the broader trend of companies embracing AI and automation, and the challenges that come with it, including job losses and changes to the nature of work.