Xbox reportedly promoting graphics jobs through AI art of questionable quality
In the wake of Microsoft's Xbox division announcing thousands of layoffs two weeks ago, the company's recent use of AI-generated images in job advertisements has sparked a wave of criticism and skepticism.
The graphics development lead of Xbox shared an AI-generated image to promote new job roles, a move that has fueled concerns about the potential replacement of human workers with AI systems. The image, referred to as "gutter-slop" by some critics, has been perceived as insensitive amid industry layoffs and job security concerns.
The layoffs, numbering around 15,000 across Microsoft and impacting divisions like Xbox, were part of a strategic shift prioritizing AI investment over maintaining certain human roles. Some former Xbox and King employees have publicly claimed they were replaced by AI technologies, intensifying industry concerns about job security and ethical AI use in workforce management.
The post on LinkedIn, which sparked a public roasting of Microsoft's Xbox division, stated, "Trying to imagine what it must be like for thousands of Xbox staff getting laid off, and watching the head of graphics posting AI slop to advertise new vacancies."
The critics feel that the Xbox leadership is detached from reality, with some going as far as to label them as creatively and morally bankrupt. The big players in the industry might need to do some soul searching or tread more carefully with their communications, according to some.
However, the use of AI in job advertisements also highlights a dual role of AI—as both a factor in job displacement and a tool for navigating career transitions. An Xbox producer advising laid-off colleagues to use AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot reflects this perspective.
The evolving future of work shaped by AI is marked by a clear shift in demand towards AI-related skills such as AI/ML engineering, prompt engineering, and MLOps, while traditional roles like QA testing and sales development have seen dramatic reductions due to AI automation.
Microsoft’s own studies suggest some jobs are less likely to be replaced by AI, but acknowledge the unpredictable broader impacts of AI on employment. In summary, the reaction to Xbox’s use of AI-generated art for recruiting amidst layoffs is emblematic of wider unease about AI’s role in job cuts and workforce transformation, tempered by recognition that AI tools are also becoming essential for job seekers in tech.
As the industry navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen how Microsoft and other big players will respond to the criticism and adjust their strategies moving forward.
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