Microsoft has terminated the employment of two software engineers, Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, who protested against the company’s involvement in supplying AI products to the Israeli military. The two engineers made public demonstrations at Microsoft’s 50th-anniversary events, accusing the company of being complicit in what they described as “genocide” in Palestine, as well as calling out Microsoft’s role in the military-industrial complex.
Aboussad, who works in Microsoft’s AI division in Canada, interrupted a speech by Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI, by accusing the company of enabling war crimes through its technology. She also sent an email to Microsoft executives, including CEO Satya Nadella, expressing her belief that her work was contributing to human rights violations. Microsoft responded to her protest by stating her actions were “willful misconduct” and terminated her employment.
Agrawal, who also voiced similar concerns, interrupted another Microsoft event and sent an email to executives accusing the company of being a "digital weapons manufacturer." Microsoft terminated her resignation and made it immediately effective.
These protests have led to negative attention for Microsoft, overshadowing its 50th-anniversary celebrations. The company has responded by stating its commitment to the highest business practices while emphasizing the importance of addressing concerns without disrupting business events.
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