Microsoft has recently made headlines not for its game releases but for further widening the gulf between its corporate messaging and public perception. After announcing layoffs, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, claimed that the gaming division had ’never looked stronger.’ This proclamation was met with skepticism, especially after Mike Matsel, the principal development lead, promoted job openings with an AI-generated image that many found detestable.

The illustration in question features a cartoon woman smiling in front of a computer—that has its screen facing away from her—leading to numerous critical responses online. One such critic, upset by the apparent lack of professionalism, stated, “This is so tone deaf that I hope it is satire.”

Criticism doesn’t end there: many users have taken to various platforms, questioning the logic of utilizing AI in the hiring process when it results in low-quality content. The prevailing sentiment reflects a broader frustration regarding Microsoft’s current practices amid significant layoffs affecting over 20,000 employees since the beginning of 2023.

Furthermore, while the company pushes forward with significant investments in AI—forecasted to be around $80 billion for the year—most employees are reportedly pressed into using these technologies in their evaluations, leading to debates about the appropriateness and practicality of such measures. Many argue that hiring practices should focus on human talents rather than AI, as evidenced by recent hiring missteps.

This incident serves as a microcosm of larger conversations about the role of AI in the workplace and its implications for creativity and authentic engagement in today’s fast-paced corporate culture.