Xbox Faces Backlash for AI Hiring Image After Mass Layoffs

Xbox has faced significant backlash after a Principal Development Lead on its Graphics team, Mike Matsel, posted a hiring message on LinkedIn featuring a poorly executed AI-generated image. The image, which shows a woman typing at a computer with the monitor screen displayed incorrectly on its rear side, was widely criticized for its low quality and poor timing, coming shortly after mass layoffs at Xbox involving thousands of employees and the cancellation of multiple game projects. Critics, including Microsoft employees and industry peers, called the post embarrassing and tone-deaf, especially given Microsoft's recent push to adopt AI technology following layoffs. The Xbox Graphics team is seeking candidates experienced in device drivers, GPU performance, and related engineering roles, but the AI image mishap has overshadowed the recruitment effort. This incident follows earlier controversies where Xbox employees faced criticism for comments on AI replacing jobs, highlighting ongoing tensions about AI integration amid workforce reductions. Despite the backlash, the post remains live, and the author has yet to respond to the criticism.