Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
Pro-Palestinian Protest Disrupts Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
A pro-Palestinian demonstration by Microsoft employees interrupted the company’s 50th anniversary celebration on Friday, reflecting growing dissent within the tech industry regarding its involvement in military contracts, particularly with the Israeli military.
The protest emerged during a presentation by Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s CEO of AI, where he discussed product advancements and strategic future plans for the company’s AI assistant, Copilot, in front of notable figures including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer.
Ibtihal Aboussad, a Microsoft employee, interrupted Suleyman, asserting, “Mustafa, shame on you.” She criticized the company for supplying AI technology to the Israeli military, claiming it contributes to ongoing violence and the loss of lives in Palestine. Aboussad expressed her discontent by throwing a keffiyeh scarf, a symbol commonly associated with Palestinian solidarity, onto the stage before being escorted away.
The disruption continued with another Microsoft employee, Vaniya Agrawal, who interrupted a segment featuring Gates, Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella. This marked a significant moment, as it was the first time since 2014 that all three former and current CEOs appeared together publicly.
A prior investigation by The Associated Press revealed earlier this year that AI systems from Microsoft and OpenAI were reportedly deployed in Israeli military operations, including the targeting of missile strikes during recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. This included incidents highlighted in the report, such as a tragic airstrike that resulted in civilian casualties.
In February, five Microsoft employees were removed from a meeting with CEO Satya Nadella after protesting the company’s military contracts. However, Friday’s events marked a far more public stance, drawing attention to their grievances during a globally streamed celebration.
Outside the venue, additional employees gathered to voice their support for the protesters. In response to the protests, Microsoft issued a statement, saying, “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. If that happens, we ask participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold the highest standards.”
As of now, Microsoft has not indicated whether it will take further action in response to the protests. Aboussad shared with the AP that although she has not received any direct communication from the company, both she and Agrawal have lost access to their work accounts following the demonstration, suggesting potential repercussions for their actions.
Source
www.yahoo.com