Microsoft Appoints AI Expert Asha Sharma as New CEO of Xbox Gaming
Microsoft has recently revealed a significant leadership change in its gaming division. The long-serving Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, is retiring after a remarkable 38-year tenure at the company. Stepping into his shoes is Asha Sharma, a seasoned AI executive who joined Microsoft in 2024 from Instacart. Sharma will now lead as the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, reporting directly to CEO Satya Nadella.
Sharma brings a wealth of experience to the table. Prior to joining Microsoft, she served as the Chief Operating Officer at Instacart and held Vice President roles at Meta. Her expertise lies in consumer platforms and scaling services that cater to billions of users worldwide. Alongside Sharma’s appointment, Matt Booty, the head of Microsoft’s gaming studios, will ascend to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer. He will oversee the company’s nearly 40 game studios across Xbox, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and King.
In her inaugural message to the Xbox team, Sharma made a strong commitment to console gaming. She assured the team that the company would not “flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop.” Instead, she emphasized the importance of human craftsmanship in games, stating, “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans.” The leadership transition also marks the departure of Sarah Bond, the former Xbox President and COO. However, Spencer will continue to serve in an advisory role through the summer to ensure a smooth transition.
Source: CNBC