Microsoft responded by emphasizing its commitment to providing avenues for employee voices while maintaining business operations. The company did not disclose any further actions but noted that Aboussad and Agrawal lost access to their work accounts post-protest, suggesting potential termination. This public protest contrasts with a previous internal protest in February, where employees were removed from a meeting with Nadella. Some employees also demonstrated outside the anniversary event.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft employees staged a pro-Palestinian protest during the company's 50th anniversary celebration, criticizing its AI technology contracts with the Israeli military.
- The protest interrupted presentations by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman and a gathering of former and current Microsoft CEOs, including Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella.
- An investigation revealed that Microsoft's AI models were used by the Israeli military to select bombing targets, leading to civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon.
- Protesters Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal lost access to their work accounts following the protest, suggesting potential termination by Microsoft.