NEW DELHI: Microsoft’s grand 50-year milestone event turned turbulent when employees advocating for Palestinian rights confronted the company’s leadership over its reported involvement in supplying artificial intelligence tools to the Israeli military.
Later, during a segment featuring former and current CEOs Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella, software engineer Vaniya Agrawal confronted the executives, stating, “Shame on all of you.” Agrawal criticised Microsoft’s reported $133 million contract with Israel’s Ministry… pic.twitter.com/XCiiE5rKaJ
— GPlus (@guwahatiplus) April 5, 2025
The demonstration unfolded on Friday, disrupting a major segment where AI Division Head Mustafa Suleyman was outlining advancements and strategic goals for Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant. The session, attended by tech icons including company co-founder Bill Gates and ex-CEO Steve Ballmer, was thrown off course when Microsoft staffer Ibtihal Aboussad marched toward the platform.
“Mustafa, disgrace on you,” she shouted, accusing Suleyman of hypocrisy. “You present AI as a force for good, yet Microsoft enables the Israeli army through AI warfare systems. Over 50,000 lives have been lost, and this genocide continues with Microsoft’s support.”
Suleyman briefly halted, responding, “Thank you for your protest, I acknowledge it,” as security approached. Aboussad went on to accuse Microsoft of complicity in bloodshed, tossing a keffiyeh—a symbolic item representing solidarity with Palestinians—onto the stage before she was led away.
A report from the Associated Press earlier this year revealed that artificial intelligence platforms developed by Microsoft and OpenAI were reportedly utilized in Israeli military operations to identify bombing targets in Gaza and Lebanon.
The tension didn’t end there. Later in the event, as Gates, Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella gathered publicly for the first time in over a decade, software developer Vaniya Agrawal disrupted the panel. She criticized the company’s $133 million agreement with Israel’s defense establishment and openly resigned in protest, citing ethical concerns.
This wasn’t an isolated act. In February, five Microsoft employees were expelled from a closed-door session with Nadella for staging a similar demonstration.
Unlike the earlier internal disruption, Friday’s dissent played out before a live audience and viewers around the globe via livestream. Additional workers reportedly assembled outside the venue, voicing opposition to the corporation’s perceived involvement in violent conflict.
In response, Microsoft issued a statement asserting, “We maintain numerous channels to ensure every perspective is acknowledged.”
