- Updated: February 21, 2026
- 3 min read
Microsoft’s New Gaming CEO Vows Not to Flood the Ecosystem with AI Slop
–:–:–:– Save up to $680 on your pass with Super Early Bird rates. REGISTER NOW. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends February 27. REGISTER NOW.Close In Brief Posted: 9:41 AM PST · February 21, 2026 Image Credits:Tomohiro Ohsumi / Getty Images Anthony Ha Microsoft’s new gaming CEO vows not to flood the ecosystem with ‘endless AI slop’ Microsoft announced a major gaming shakeup on Friday, with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer departing the company, along with Xbox President Sarah Bond. Spencer will be replaced by former Instacart and Meta executive Asha Sharma.With Sharma’s most recent role as the president of Microsoft’s CoreAI product, these moves suggest that Microsoft might be doubling down on bringing AI into video games. The company had already been experimenting with ways to combine AI and gaming, for example developing an AI gaming companion and releasing a buggy, AI-generated level from “Quake II.” Indeed, in an internal memo published by The Verge, Sharma wrote that Microsoft “will invent new business models and new ways to play” and said that “monetization and AI” will both “evolve and influence this future.” At the same time, she said that the company “will not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop.” “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us,” Sharma added.That’s just one of three “commitments” Sharma made in her memo. The others involve building “great games beloved by players” and prioritizing Xbox. Topics AI, asha sharma, Media & Entertainment, Microsoft October 13-15 San Francisco, CA Save up to $680 on your pass before February 27.Meet investors. Discover your next portfolio company. Hear from 250+ tech leaders, dive into 200+ sessions, and explore 300+ startups building what’s next. Don’t miss these one-time savings.REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. StrictlyVC Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. No newsletters selected.Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice.Related AI Google VP warns that two types of AI startups may not survive Rebecca Bellan 3 hours ago AI India’s Sarvam launches Indus AI chat app as competition heats up Jagmeet Singh 18 hours ago AI OpenAI says 18- to 24-year-olds account for nearly 50% of ChatGPT usage in India Ivan Mehta 1 day ago Latest in Media & Entertainment In Brief Microsoft’s new gaming CEO vows not to flood the ecosystem with ‘endless AI slop’ Anthony Ha 1 hour ago TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 7 days until ticket prices rise for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 TechCrunch Events 4 hours ago Startups The creator economy’s ad revenue problem and India’s AI ambitions Theresa Loconsolo 20 hours ago