A troubling new trend is crystallizing in the tech industry. A company at the forefront of AI development lays off thousands of its human employees, then encourages them to seek comfort from the very technology supplanting them. It’s the automation of suffering, and it’s happening now.
This week, Matt Turnbull, an Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, became a case study. Following Microsoft’s decision to cut thousands jobs from its gaming division, Turnbull took to LinkedIn. With what seems like good intentions, he encouraged former employees to turn to AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to manage the emotional and logistical fallout.
“These are really challenging times, and if you’re navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go it alone,” his post began. “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.”
He continued: “I’ve been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.”
The message landed with a surreal thud. Microsoft, which just ended your employment, was now outsourcing your emotional support to a bot. The July layoffs hit Xbox Game Studios. Alongside the job cuts, Microsoft announced that ambitious titles like Perfect Dark and Everwild are being canceled, and at least one studio, The Initiative, one of Microsoft’s newer, high-profile studios, is being closed entirely. In his now deleted post captured by Aftermath, Turnbull even offered prompt templates to help the newly unemployed start their conversations with the AI.
These folks are absolute sociopaths. pic.twitter.com/TSoqUvBnlH — Julien Eveillé – THRESHOLD 30% OFF (@PATALOON) July 4, 2025
Your AI Therapist Will See You Now
He categorized the prompts like a self help guide for the digital age:
Career Planning
Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a [role] in the game industry.
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