Microsoft Employees Protest AI Contracts with Israeli Military
Workers challenge the company’s role in Gaza bombings, demanding accountability for AI-driven warfare.
Watan-Five Microsoft employees took a bold stand by publicly protesting the company’s AI and cloud computing contracts with the Israeli military, which supports its operations in Gaza.
Despite potential job risks, they chose to speak out against aiding a party involved in what they described as a war of extermination against Palestinians.
During an internal meeting, the employees stood just 15 feet from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, wearing shirts that read: “Does our code kill children, Satya?” This act of defiance angered company leadership, prompting Nadella to have them removed from the meeting immediately, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue within Microsoft.
The protest followed reports that the Israeli military has been using Microsoft’s AI models to select bombing targets in Gaza, leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians. This isn’t the first such action; Microsoft has previously fired employees for expressing anti-occupation views.
One such case was Hussam Nasr, who was dismissed for protesting the company’s involvement in Israeli military operations. The stance taken by these employees reflects a growing global awareness of the role major tech firms play in armed conflicts and calls for a reassessment of contracts that contribute to human rights violations.
Despite Microsoft’s harsh response, their protest has received widespread praise on social media, with many calling them true heroes in an era of corporate complicity. As pressure mounts, will Microsoft be forced to reconsider its support for the Israeli military?
