Microsoft has named Asha Sharma, formerly president of CoreAI, as the new head of Xbox gaming following the departures of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond. Sharma addressed concerns about her AI expertise and lack of gaming experience, emphasizing human creativity in game development. She also referenced past comments on AI's potential role in addressing declining fertility rates.
The gaming industry was surprised last week by the sudden exits of Xbox leaders Phil Spencer, who is retiring after nearly 40 years at Microsoft, and Sarah Bond, who is leaving the division but will serve as a special advisor to ensure a smooth transition. Asha Sharma, with a background in AI rather than gaming, has stepped in as Microsoft's new gaming CEO.
Concerns arose immediately about Sharma's suitability, given her previous role as president of CoreAI and no prior gaming-specific positions. In response to Variety, Sharma stated she has "no tolerance" for "bad" AI, adding, "AI has long been part of gaming and will continue to be," as it provides new "growth engines." She stressed that "great stories are created by humans," not machines.
Sharma outlined three commitments to the Xbox community: delivering "great games," the "return of Xbox," and shaping the "future of play." She aims for games with "deep emotional resonance" and a "distinct point of view," citing Campo Santo's 2016 game Firewatch as an example of such impact. Admitting she has "a lot to learn," Sharma described herself as entering gaming as a "platform builder" and pledged to "earn the right to be trusted by players and developers" through "consistency" and listening to the community.
Five months ago, in a podcast interview, Sharma expressed personal worries about declining fertility rates affecting her son's future classmates. She claimed the average birthrate was around 3 in the 1990s, now at 2.3, and projected below replacement levels by 2050. Sharma suggested AI could help, pointing to its use in improving IVF success rates at a London hospital, ChatGPT 5's role in healthcare, and Stanford's application for tumor reviews. Reports note her 1990s figure is inaccurate, with actual rates between 1.9 and 2.0 then, and 1.8 in 2025.
Sharma indicated more details on Xbox's direction at the Game Developers Conference next month and an Xbox Games Showcase this spring.
