Xbox's New CEO Punts Copilot AI on Console as Microsoft Reworks Gaming Strategy by Alan Velasco — Wednesday, May 06, 2026, 01:50 PM EDT Microsoft’s Xbox gaming division is undergoing a major shift in strategy as recently installed CEO Asha Sharma has been implementing changes big and small. …
… This doesn't necessarily mean Xbox is going full-throttle AI, though AI remains a big part of Microsoft's overall strategy, but could be because Sharma has an AI background herself and knows these people from there. …
… In another corporate shift, Microsoft's former head of Azure OpenAI and AI Core infrastructure, Scott Van Vliet, is joining Xbox as Chief Technology Officer today. …
… Scott Van Vliet, formerly the lead of Azure OpenAI and AI Core infrastructure at Microsoft, will take on the chief technology officer role. …
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma held an all-hands meeting this morning and laid out her strategy for a “return of Xbox” with employees. …
… Next, straight from the classic board game Catan , this digital edition brings the same strategy, resource management, and negotiation strategies. The title can be played in multiplayer locally and online, while solo play is also available against AI opponents. …
… In an internal memo, she said the platform holder will "not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop." Sharma and Xbox CCO Matt Booty also clarified that the firm is facing "no pressure from Microsoft" to use AI . …
… He was previously in charge of Azure OpenAI and AI Core infrastructure at Microsoft, and he also led engineering for Microsoft Teams during the COVID 19 pandemic. …
… By offering a self-contained, high-performance solution at a competitive price, the company is attempting to compete in a space currently dominated by NVIDIA. The Halo Box is also one of the many key steps in AMD's broad strategy to expand its presence in various AI markets. …
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