In the midst of sweeping job cuts at Microsoft, an Xbox executive’s suggestion to turn to AI chatbots such as ChatGPT for emotional and career support has stirred strong reactions. This suggestion came during a period of ongoing layoffs that have impacted over 9,000 employees across the tech giant’s global operations, including significant cuts within the Xbox division.
The recommendation, initially shared on LinkedIn by a senior leader at Xbox Games Studio, encouraged affected employees to turn to AI for practical tasks such as resume creation, job search, and career planning.
According to him, AI tools can serve as companions capable of helping people deal with the stress that comes with job loss, particularly when the minds of the affected individuals are already erupting with too many thoughts.
While the post has since been deleted, it did manage to ignited debate across professional circles.
The executive shared that using large language model-based tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot can help reduce the emotional burden that comes with being rendered jobless. As a result, decision-making becomes faster and clear amidst all the uncertainty.
However, his suggestion has been rejected by many, with some experts warning of potential risks, questioning the reliability of AI-generated advice during vulnerable moments. AI tools, they argue, may not always provide contextually appropriate or psychologically-sound guidance or counsel. Even ChatGPT’s own usage terms recommend against relying solely on its output for personal or emotional decision-making.
This advice comes when many tech giants are laying off thousands, even while increasing their investment in AI development. Microsoft alone plans to spend around $80 billion in this space. This contrast between cutting human jobs and expanding AI infrastructure has raised concerns about the company’s long-term workforce strategy.
