Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration on Friday was briefly interrupted when an employee, protesting the company’s alleged ties to Israel’s military operations, disrupted a speech by Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI.
“You are a war profiteer. Stop using AI for genocide,” shouted Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad as Suleyman was discussing the firm’s artificial intelligence assistant. The incident took place at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington.
Suleyman acknowledged the interruption calmly, responding, “I hear your protest, thank you,” before Aboussad was escorted out of the venue.
The disruption comes amid growing backlash over reports that AI tools developed by Microsoft and its partner OpenAI were used by the Israeli military to help identify bombing targets during operations in Gaza and Lebanon. The Associated Press earlier this year reported the use of these tools in an Israeli military program.
Microsoft is one of several tech companies and institutions that have come under scrutiny as global outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to rise. Protests have intensified in recent months, with calls for corporate accountability over involvement in military technologies.
The conflict escalated in October 2023 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza. Health officials in Gaza say the offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population, and triggered famine conditions. Israel denies allegations of genocide or war crimes.
Following the protest, The Verge reported that Aboussad sent an internal email explaining her actions to other Microsoft staff. According to the Associated Press, she and another employee involved in the protest were later locked out of their work accounts.
Microsoft responded by saying it supports free expression through “many avenues” that do not interfere with company operations.