Laid-off Microsoft staffers told to use AI tools to manage their emotions

With Microsoft preparing to lay off more than 9,000 employees, Xbox producer Matt Turnbull urged those affected to use AI tools to help them cope, according to Aftermath. Turnbull wrote in a post on LinkedIn that while many people have strong feelings about generative AI (genAI) tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Copilot, they can also be helpful for resume writing, career planning, and job searching.

“These are really challenging times, and if you’re going through a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go through it alone,” Turnbull wrote. “No AI tool can replace your voice or your life experiences. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help you move forward faster, calmer, and with greater clarity.”

Microsoft announced in January that it would invest $80 billion in AI infrastructure.

Turnbull later deleted his post from LinkedIn.

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