Microsoft employees protest the company's support for the Zionist regime

According to Al Jazeera, following reports that Israel was using Microsoft's artificial intelligence models to increase the accuracy of its bombing in Gaza, pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the American technology company.

Al Jazeera considers this event the latest negative reaction from Palestinian supporters to the technology company's support for Israel.

The protest began on Friday when Mustafa Suleiman, CEO of Microsoft's artificial intelligence, was giving updates and a long-term vision for this. At the same time, Ibthal Abu Saad, one of the company's employees, shouted: "Mustafa, shame on you." And Solomon stopped speaking.

“You claim to care about AI, but you’re selling AI-based weapons to the Israeli military,” the employee shouted. “Fifty thousand people have been killed, and Microsoft is fueling this genocide in our region.”

“Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” Solomon replied.

But Abu Saad continued, “Solomon and all of Microsoft have blood on their hands.” She also threw onto the stage a keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestinian people, before being escorted out of the event.

The Associated Press reported earlier this year that Microsoft and OpenAI models were used as part of an Israeli military program to select targets during the bombing of Gaza and Lebanon.

Another protester at the event, Vanya Agrawal, was among those who protested the support for Israel while several senior Microsoft officials, including current CEO Satya Nadella, were on stage.

In February, five Microsoft employees were ejected from a meeting with Nadella for protesting against the contracts.

While the February event was an internal meeting, Friday’s protest was far more public – a livestreamed showcase of the company’s past and future. Some employees also rallied outside the event on Friday.