An Xbox producer has confronted a backlash after suggesting laid-off staff ought to use synthetic intelligence to take care of feelings in a now deleted LinkedIn publish.
Matt Turnbull, an govt producer at Xbox Recreation Studios Publishing, wrote the publish after Microsoft confirmed it will lay off as much as 9,000 employees, in a wave of job cuts this year.
The publish, which was captured in a screenshot by tech news site Aftermath, reveals Mr Turnbull suggesting instruments like ChatGPT or Copilot to “assist cut back the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”
One X consumer referred to as it “plain disgusting” whereas one other stated it left them “speechless”. The BBC has contacted Microsoft, which owns Xbox, for remark.
Microsoft beforehand stated a number of of its divisions can be affected with out specifying which of them however reviews counsel that its Xbox video gaming unit will likely be hit.
Microsoft has set out plans to take a position closely in synthetic intelligence (AI), and is spending $80bn (£68.6bn) in enormous information centres to coach AI fashions.
Mr Turnbull acknowledged the problem of job cuts in his publish and stated “in the event you’re navigating a layoff and even quietly making ready for one, you are not alone and you do not have to go it alone”.
He wrote that he was conscious AI instruments may cause “robust emotions in individuals” however wished to try to supply the “greatest recommendation” below the circumstances.
The Xbox producer stated he’d been “experimenting with methods to make use of LLM Al instruments” and prompt some prompts to enter into AI software program.
These included profession planning prompts, resume and LinkedIn assist, and inquiries to ask for recommendation on emotional readability and confidence.
“If this helps, be at liberty to share with others in your community,” he wrote.
The Microsoft cuts would equate to 4% of Microsoft’s 228,000-strong international workforce.
Some online game initiatives have reportedly been affected by the cuts.
