New Xbox boss stops AI features - fans celebrate
Microsoft is halting the development of AI features for the Xbox. The new Xbox boss is responsible for this.
The new Xbox boss, Asha Sharma, is causing a stir with a post on X. She announces that Microsoft is discontinuing the development of AI features for Xbox.
Sharma writes: "Xbox needs to get faster, deepen our connection with the community, and remove existing hurdles for players and developers." The first steps of this reorientation have already been decided: "[...] we are starting to discontinue features that do not align with our future direction. We will gradually phase out Copilot on mobile devices and stop the development of Copilot for consoles."
What was "Copilot for Gaming"?
The company announced the Xbox version of Microsoft's AI assistant Copilot in March of last year. "Copilot for Gaming" was touted as "the ultimate gaming sidekick, designed to help players get into the game faster, improve their skills through expert coaching, and enjoy a more social gaming experience."
Specifically, this means: You can ask the AI for tips and tricks about the current game at any time. Depending on the situation, Copilot may also proactively intervene if it notices that you, miserable noob, are stuck. For games you haven't played in a while, the AI provides a summary to help you remember where you are and what you need to do. If desired, Copilot can also encourage you ("you can do it!") or annoy you with trash talk ("get good!") if you enjoy being humiliated.
Initial beta versions have already been rolled out on mobile and PC. The console launch would have been planned for 2026.
Former AI boss cuts AI features – the community celebrates
It's surprising that Asha Sharma, of all people, is killing the much-hyped AI revolution at Xbox.
Sharma was only appointed as the new Xbox boss in February. Previously, she headed Microsoft's Core AI division, which lays the foundation for Microsoft's AI strategy and AI product integration.
Even when she took office, Sharma tried to address the community's concerns and build trust. She announced: "While monetization and AI continue to evolve and influence the future, we will not strive for short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI junk. Games are and remain art [...]."
The fact that Sharma is now following through on her words is being celebrated by Xbox fans on social media. Many even see the Xbox boss as the savior of the struggling gaming brand. This also has to do with Sharma's other radical decisions in the past three months.
Radical change of course at Xbox?
Since taking office, Sharma has already caused a stir several times. As part of her "Return to Xbox," the Xbox boss announced Microsoft's next-gen console "Project Helix" in March and stopped the unpopular "This is an Xbox" campaign. In April, she announced that "Microsoft Gaming" would now simply be called "Xbox" and gave the struggling brand a new visual identity. Sharma also lowered the price for Game Pass and banned new "Call of Duty" games from the subscription.
Most recently, Sharma hinted that Microsoft is at least considering a return to exclusive Xbox games internally. As a reminder: in recent years, Microsoft has increasingly moved away from the traditional console business model and released formerly exclusive franchises on PS5 and Switch (2).
Numerous changes in Xbox's leadership are likely to cause even more upheaval. In announcing the Xbox Copilot, Sharma writes: "Today we [...] brought new voices into the company to help us move forward. This balance is important to get the business back on track."
These "new voices" are mostly former employees from Sharma's Core AI team.
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