Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to the US Federal Reserve’s newly formed Productivity and Jobs task force, just days after announcing one of the largest restructurings in Xbox’s history.
The timing of the appointment has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning the move in light of the recent layoffs.
Sharma is among three external advisers selected to help assess how emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, could reshape productivity, employment and economic policy in the United States.
Federal Reserve names external advisers
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh announced the creation of five specialised task forces aimed at strengthening the institution’s policy framework in response to rapid economic and technological changes.
The Productivity and Jobs task force will study how general-purpose technologies, including artificial intelligence, are transforming workplaces, labour markets and long-term economic growth.
Joining Sharma on the panel are:
- Marc Andreessen, co-founder and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz
- Charles I. Jones, Stanford University economics professor currently on leave at Anthropic
- Asha Sharma, Executive Vice President and CEO of Xbox at Microsoft
Announcing the initiative, Warsh said the US economy has evolved significantly in recent years, making it essential for policymakers to refine their analytical tools and policy approaches.
“The Federal Reserve’s commitment to price stability and maximum employment is unwavering,” Warsh said, adding that the task forces would help ensure the institution remains prepared for emerging economic challenges.
Appointment follows major Xbox restructuring
The announcement comes shortly after Sharma informed employees about a major organisational overhaul at Xbox.
In a message shared publicly on X, Sharma said Xbox was beginning its “most significant restructure” to streamline operations during fiscal year 2027.
According to the statement, approximately 3,200 positions will be eliminated, including around 1,600 immediate job cuts, while four Xbox studios will transition to new management.
Sharma acknowledged that the restructuring would be difficult for employees but said the phased approach was necessary to complete the transformation responsibly.
Social media users question timing
News of Sharma’s appointment quickly generated reactions online, with several users questioning the optics of naming a CEO who had recently overseen thousands of layoffs to a panel focused on jobs and productivity.
Some users sarcastically remarked that people affected by layoffs should also qualify for the task force, while others described the appointment as ironic. Several posts also questioned whether the decision aligned with the task force’s stated objectives.
Despite the criticism, the Federal Reserve has not commented on the online reactions, and Sharma has not publicly addressed the debate surrounding her appointment.
