Wed Feb 26 04:22:54 UTC 2025: ## Microsoft Employees Protest Military AI Contracts During CEO Meeting

**REDMOND, WASHINGTON –** Five Microsoft employees were forcibly removed from a company town hall meeting on Monday after protesting their employer’s provision of artificial intelligence and cloud computing services to the Israeli military. The protest, which unfolded during a presentation by CEO Satya Nadella on new products, saw employees unveil t-shirts spelling out the question, “Does Our Code Kill Kids, Satya?”

The demonstration followed a recent Associated Press (AP) investigation revealing the use of sophisticated AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI by the Israeli military in targeting operations during recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The AP report detailed a 2023 airstrike that killed three young girls and their grandmother, and noted a nearly 200-fold increase in Israeli military use of Microsoft’s Azure platform after a Hamas attack last October.

While Nadella did not acknowledge the protesters, Microsoft issued a statement stating that it provides avenues for employee voices but requires protests not to disrupt business. The company has not commented on whether the employees will face disciplinary action. This incident follows the October dismissal of two employees for organizing a vigil for Palestinian refugees.

The protest highlights ongoing internal debate at Microsoft concerning its contracts with the Israeli military. Some employees have expressed concern that these contracts violate the company’s stated commitment to human rights, while others have voiced support for Israel. Abdo Mohamed, a former Microsoft employee fired for participating in the October vigil, called on the company to end its contracts, stating that Microsoft is prioritizing profit over human rights. The controversy underscores the ethical dilemmas faced by tech companies involved in supplying technology to military clients.

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