Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: Microsoft’s new gaming CEO Asha Sharma on concerns about her background in AI: No tolerance for… in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
Microsoft’s newly appointed gaming CEO, Asha Sharma, has responded to concerns about her background in artificial intelligence (AI) and lack of prior gaming roles. Sharma noted that she has “no tolerance” for what she calls “bad” AI. Sharma, who previously served as Microsoft’s president of CoreAI, was named to the role following the announcement that long-time Xbox head Phil Spencer would retire from the company after nearly 40 years. This development also saw Sarah Bond, who many had expected to eventually succeed Spencer, announce her departure from Xbox at the same time. Sharma’s appointment drew scrutiny from the gaming community, but Sharma has sought to calm those concerns, telling Variety that “AI has long been part of gaming and will continue to be” and that the industry needs new “growth engines.” She also added that “great stories are created by humans”, and not by machines.‘
What Microsoft’s new gaming CEO Asha Sharma on her lack of gaming experience
In response to her lack of professional roles within the gaming sector, Sharma made “three commitments” to the Xbox community upon her appointment: “Great games”, the “return of Xbox”, and the “future of play”. She has since said she wants Xbox to tell stories that make people “feel something” when they play, with “deep emotional resonance” and a “distinct point of view”, citing Campo Santo’s 2016 first-person mystery Firewatch as a game that had this kind of impact on her.Sharma acknowledged she had “a lot to learn” in her new role but said she is committed to “being grounded in what the community is telling” Xbox. “I’m coming into gaming as a platform builder,” she said, with her goal to “earn the right to be trusted by players and developers” by demonstrating “consistency” over time.Sharma said more details about Xbox’s plans would be shared at the annual GDC conference next month, with bigger announcements expected at an Xbox Games Showcase this spring.Meanwhile, Sarah Bond, in a farewell message to Xbox staff over the weekend, said she will “remain on as a Special Advisor to Asha to help ensure a smooth transition,” but noted that “this is the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally.”