Microsoft Employee Slammed for Using AI Art in Xbox Ad After Layoffs
▼ Summary
– A Microsoft employee faced backlash for sharing an AI-generated image to advertise Xbox graphics team roles, which was widely mocked for its poor quality.
– The image showed a woman typing code on the back of a monitor, sparking criticism for being “embarrassing” and poorly timed after recent layoffs.
– The post, shared on LinkedIn by an individual employee, received over 100 negative replies, including from Microsoft and Meta staff.
– Critics highlighted the irony of using a low-quality AI image to hire for a graphics role, especially after Microsoft laid off 9,100 employees, including in gaming.
– Microsoft’s recent layoffs affected major Xbox studios, canceling projects like Everwild and Perfect Dark, marking the fourth round of cuts in 18 months.
Microsoft faces backlash after an employee used an AI-generated image to promote Xbox job openings, sparking outrage among industry professionals. The poorly executed artwork, shared on LinkedIn, features a woman typing code on the back of a monitor rather than the screen, a glaring error that immediately revealed its artificial origins. The post advertised positions for the Xbox Graphics team, inviting applicants with expertise in device drivers and GPU performance.
Critics quickly pointed out the irony of using a low-quality AI image to recruit for a graphics-focused role, especially following Microsoft’s recent layoffs of nearly 9,100 employees, including significant cuts to Xbox studios. Many called the move tone-deaf, with one Microsoft colleague questioning whether the image conveyed a company that values skilled artists. Others mocked the technical blunders, like the reversed monitor, as emblematic of the broader issues plaguing AI-generated content.
The backlash intensified as gaming professionals weighed in. A Meta employee criticized the timing, urging the poster to “read the room,” while a Ubisoft staffer labeled the image “embarrassing AI gutter-slop.” Some speculated the post might have been intentional satire, highlighting the need for qualified hires, but the original author has yet to respond to the controversy.
Microsoft’s recent layoffs hit several high-profile projects, including Rare’s Everwild, Crystal Dynamics’ Perfect Dark reboot, and unannounced titles from Bethesda and Romero Games. This marks the fourth major workforce reduction in Microsoft’s gaming division within 18 months, fueling frustration over the company’s pivot toward AI-driven solutions while cutting human talent.
The incident underscores growing tensions in the industry as companies increasingly rely on AI tools, often at the expense of creative professionals. For now, the post remains live, serving as an unintentional case study in how not to attract top-tier talent.
(Source: IGN)
