Matt Booty, the new Xbox Chief Content Officer, said Microsoft is not directing developers to adopt AI across Xbox games after a major leadership shake-up on February 20, 2026. On February 20, 2026, Phil Spencer retired and Sarah Bond resigned from Xbox. Asha Sharma was named CEO of Microsoft Gaming, and Matt Booty was named Chief Content Officer. Both leaders hold the executive vice president title.
Asha Sharma previously led Microsoft’s CoreAI division, which prompted questions about how AI might be used across Xbox and Microsoft Gaming going forward. Booty moved to clarify the company position in an interview with Jez Corden for Windows Central.
Booty said there is no top down mandate on AI. He explained that teams are free to adopt technologies that help with development tasks, including tools that assist with writing code or checking for bugs during the production pipeline. He added that the organization aims to support developers and to avoid flooding the ecosystem with what he called “slop.”
Booty also stated Sharma’s public stance that Xbox remains committed to work created by people and declined the idea of an enforced AI directive coming from Microsoft higher ups. Those following the leadership changes and the new Microsoft Gaming structure may expect further comments from the executive team as they settle into their roles.
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