A major milestone celebration at Microsoft turned tense on Friday as employees staged protests during the company’s 50th anniversary event, accusing the tech giant of enabling military operations through its AI technology.
The event, held in Washington state, was interrupted twice by workers who called out Microsoft’s involvement in alleged human rights abuses tied to the Israeli military.
The protests began when software engineer Ibithal Aboussad confronted Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman while he was giving a speech. She walked toward the stage, accusing him and the company of selling AI-powered tools that support military actions in Gaza. She claimed that Microsoft technology was being used in operations that had led to the deaths of thousands in the region. Security eventually escorted her out, but not before she repeatedly accused Suleyman and Microsoft of profiting from conflict.
Later that day, a second protester, Vaniya Agrawal, also a Microsoft AI engineer, disrupted another panel discussion that featured Suleyman alongside former CEOs Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer. Agrawal denounced what she described as the company’s role in violence against Palestinians and accused Microsoft leaders of hypocrisy for celebrating while people in Gaza were suffering. She was also removed from the event and later submitted her resignation via email, stating she could no longer work for a company she believed was complicit in the crisis.
The employees claimed they were not aware that the technologies they were building would be used for military purposes. Aboussad stated in a follow-up message to executives that she felt betrayed, saying her work had been redirected without her consent toward projects that, in her view, breached ethical boundaries.
Microsoft responded by affirming its commitment to responsible business practices and free expression, while urging that all discussions take place in a manner that avoids disrupting operations. The company noted that employees have many channels available to voice their concerns, but stressed the importance of doing so respectfully.
The protests come amid growing scrutiny of the role tech firms are playing in global conflicts. Several artificial intelligence companies, including Microsoft, have faced internal dissent as they expand partnerships with military organizations. Deals with defense agencies, once avoided by many tech leaders, are becoming more common, raising questions about the ethical implications of cutting-edge technology in warfare.
As the world watches advancements in AI and its growing use in security and defense, employees inside companies like Microsoft are demanding more transparency and accountability—particularly when their work might contribute to real-world consequences far from their desks.