At Microsoft's recent Build developer conference in Seattle, software engineer Joe Lopez was terminated after publicly protesting the company's provision of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the Israeli military amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Lopez interrupted CEO Satya Nadella's keynote address, voicing concerns over Microsoft's involvement in supplying AI services that could be utilized in military operations. Following the incident, Lopez disseminated a company-wide email challenging Microsoft's assertions regarding the use of its Azure cloud platform in Gaza. (apnews.com)
This protest was the first of several pro-Palestinian demonstrations during the four-day event, including disruptions of other executive presentations and demonstrations outside the venue. Microsoft acknowledged providing AI services to the Israeli military but denied that its technology was used to harm individuals in Gaza. The advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid, composed of current and former employees, reported that Lopez received a termination notice he could not access and claimed Microsoft blocked internal communication using words like "Palestine" and "Gaza." Microsoft has not responded to media inquiries regarding its handling of the protests. (apnews.com)
This incident is part of a broader pattern of internal dissent within Microsoft concerning its contracts with the Israeli military. In April 2025, during Microsoft's 50th anniversary Copilot event, employees Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal publicly protested the company's role in supplying AI tools to Israel. Aboussad accused Microsoft of facilitating violence and profiting from war, referencing reports of increased civilian deaths linked to the Israeli military's use of AI technologies developed by Microsoft and OpenAI. Both employees were subsequently terminated. (tomsguide.com)
These events underscore the growing internal and external scrutiny over Microsoft's ethical responsibilities in geopolitical conflicts involving its technology. The company's actions have sparked debates about the role of tech companies in military applications and the balance between corporate policies and employee activism.
Source: thedailystar.com Microsoft fires employee who interrupted CEO's speech to protest AI tech for Israeli military
