In an era of massive corporate layoffs and growing reliance on artificial intelligence, one executive’s attempt at empathy has landed with a thud. Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Games Studio Publishing, recently posted on LinkedIn suggesting that people who have just been laid off could use AI tools to help reduce the “emotional and cognitive load” of job loss.
Turnbull’s post came just days after Microsoft laid off 9,000 employees, its fourth major round of layoffs in just 18 months. The comment ignited widespread criticism for being out of touch with the harsh realities facing those affected.
While the original post has since been deleted, screenshots shared by Necrosoft Games director Brandon Sheffield preserved Turnbull’s words, allowing the internet to dissect what many see as a prime example of corporate detachment masked as helpful advice.
Good Intentions, Terrible Timing
In his now-deleted post, Turnbull acknowledged the emotional strain of losing a job and offered suggestions for using generative AI, such as Microsoft’s own Copilot, to assist with tasks like resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, and even emotional support.
One of the more striking prompt examples he shared was:
“I’m struggling with impostor syndrome after being laid off. Can you help me reframe this experience in a way that reminds me what I’m good at?”
Turnbull ended the post with encouragement to “share this message” so others could “get unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.” However, critics pointed out the irony that Turnbull himself remains employed, offering coping strategies from a safe distance while thousands of others face real uncertainty.
Corporate Disconnect and AI Hypocrisy
What makes Turnbull’s comments even more controversial is the backdrop: Microsoft is simultaneously spending an estimated $80 billion on AI infrastructure while letting go of thousands of employees. The juxtaposition between investing heavily in AI and urging the laid-off to turn to that same technology for comfort struck a nerve.
Online reactions ranged from ridicule to outrage. Many questioned whether Turnbull’s post had been generated by an AI itself, given its robotic tone and lack of emotional depth. One commenter sarcastically suggested a new AI prompt: “How do I avoid sounding like a tone-deaf executive while announcing layoffs?”
Executives Admit AI Is Replacing Humans
Turnbull’s post is part of a broader conversation happening across industries. Executives from companies like Amazon, Ford, Anthropic, and Shopify have publicly acknowledged that AI will eliminate many white-collar jobs. Ford CEO Jim Farley recently warned that AI could decimate clerical roles, while Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei echoed similar concerns.
Despite these warnings, there’s growing skepticism about AI’s real impact on productivity. A number of call center employees have reported that AI tools often slow them down or increase customer frustration rather than solving problems efficiently.
The Bottom Line
Matt Turnbull’s post was clearly meant to be supportive, but it highlights a growing gap between corporate leadership and the workers most affected by technological disruption. As companies continue to champion AI while cutting jobs, the human cost becomes harder to ignore, especially when empathy comes wrapped in algorithms.
If executives hope to maintain trust during this AI transformation, they may need to start with something that no machine can provide: genuine human understanding.
