05.04.2025 14:21
The CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, was giving a speech at the company's 50th anniversary party when some employees reacted to the services the company provides to Israel. Among the audience, which included Bill Gates, an employee shouted, "Stop using artificial intelligence for genocide, Mustafa. You have blood on your hands. All of Microsoft has blood on its hands."
The speech given by Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI, at the company's 50th anniversary party was interrupted by employees protesting the company's agreements with Israel.
"MICROSOFT IS SELLING AI WEAPONS TO ISRAEL"
Approaching the stage from among the audience, which included Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer, Ibtihal Aboussad addressed Suleyman on stage, saying, "You claim to care about using AI for good, but Microsoft is selling AI weapons to the Israeli army. 50,000 people have died, and Microsoft supports this genocide in our region."
Suleyman responded to Aboussad, who said he should be ashamed of himself and threw her kefiyah on stage, "Thank you for your protest, I hear you." Aboussad was escorted out by security after throwing her kefiyah on stage.
"SHAME ON ALL OF YOU, YOU ARE HYPOCRITES"
Vaniya Agrawal, a software engineer from the company's AI division, shouted, "Shame on all of you, you are all hypocrites," at another event during the same party where Gates, Ballmer, and CEO Satya Nadella were on stage. Agrawal, stating that 50,000 Palestinians were killed using Microsoft technology in Gaza, added, "Shame on all of you for celebrating over their blood. Cut your ties with Israel," before being escorted out.
"WE ARE ALL BECOMING ACCOMPLICES"
According to a report by CNBC, Agrawal stated in an email sent to Microsoft executives after her protest that she would resign, saying, "By working for this company, we are all becoming accomplices." Aboussad noted that she was not informed that her work would be used for military purposes. Emphasizing that she did not sign up to write code that violates human rights, Aboussad stated, "I was not informed that Microsoft would sell my work to the Israeli army and government." Some employees protested Microsoft outside the venue where the events were held.
STATEMENT FROM THE COMPANY
In a statement from the company, it was claimed that many avenues were provided for all voices to be heard. The statement noted that it was desired for people to express their voices in a way that would not disrupt the event, saying, "In such a situation, we ask participants to change their seats. We are committed to ensuring that our business practices meet the highest standards."
A study conducted by the Associated Press in early 2025 revealed that Microsoft and OpenAI's AI models were used as part of the Israeli military program to select bombing targets in Gaza and Lebanon.