Redmond, Washington – A pro-Palestinian protest by Microsoft employees disrupted the company’s 50th anniversary celebration Friday, marking the latest backlash against the tech industry’s role in supplying artificial intelligence technology to the Israeli military.
The demonstration unfolded during a high-profile event at Microsoft’s headquarters, attended by co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella—the first joint public appearance of the trio since 2014.
The protest erupted as Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman presented product updates and a long-term vision for the company’s AI assistant, Copilot. Employee Ibtihal Aboussad interrupted the speech, walking toward the stage and shouting, “Mustafa, shame on you! You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty thousand people have died, and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region.”
Suleyman paused, responding, “Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” as Aboussad continued, declaring that Suleyman and “all of Microsoft” had “blood on their hands.” She then threw a keffiyeh scarf—a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians—onto the stage before security escorted her out. Moments later, a second employee, Vaniya Agrawal, briefly disrupted another segment featuring Gates, Ballmer, and Nadella, amplifying the dissent.
The unrest centers on Microsoft’s $133 million contract with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, which has faced criticism following reports that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI were used to select bombing targets in Gaza and Lebanon. An Associated Press investigation earlier this year linked such technology to a 2023 Israeli airstrike in Lebanon that killed three young girls and their grandmother, fueling accusations of civilian harm.
The protest echoes a February incident where five employees were removed from an internal meeting with Nadella for opposing the same deal. Friday’s demonstration, broadcast via livestream, drew broader attention, with some staff also rallying outside. Aboussad later told reporters she and Agrawal lost access to their work accounts after the event, suggesting potential retaliation.
Microsoft responded in a statement: “We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard. Importantly, we ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption.” The company declined to address specific disciplinary measures.
The clash overshadowed what was intended as a milestone celebration of Microsoft’s 50-year legacy, highlighting deepening divisions within the tech giant over its military ties.
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