Microsoft boss sparks outrage with shocking advice to employees who are being fired because of AI

An executive producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, which is owned by Microsoft, has sparked major backlash after sharing a LinkedIn post suggesting staff who had been fired amid AI investments should use that very same tech to help deal with their emotions.

Matt Turnbull took to the social media platform to share his advice at the start of the July 4 weekend, after Microsoft confirmed thousands of job losses would be taking place.

The layoffs coincide with the company's announcement of plans to invest $80 billion in artificial intelligence, specifically for training AI models.

In his post, which has since been deleted, Turnball admitted 'these are really challenging times' and assured those who might be 'navigating a layoff' that they 'don't have to do it alone'.

That being said, it wasn't human support that Turnball went on to recommend, but rather that of artificial intelligence.

According to a screenshot of his post shared online, Turnball wrote: "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. 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."

Turnball went on to offer some AI prompt ideas that 'might help if you're feeling overwhelmed', including career planning prompts, resumé help, and drafts to assist with networking.

He concluded: "No Al 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.

"If this helps, feel free to share with others in your network. Stay kind, stay smart, stay connected."

Though Turnbull did claim to be sharing his 'best advice', the post backfired when readers responded to describe it as 'tone deaf'.

"This is actually insane work wtf," one person wrote after reading the post, as another added: "I never understood how people could say stuff like this. You have to be ridiculously out-of-touch on a whole other level to post that at this time. I just don't get how that's possible."

In a statement on its decision to cut jobs and invest in AI, a spokesperson for Microsoft told the BBC: "We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace."

UNILAD has reached out to Microsoft for additional comment.