Microsoft terminated the employment of two software engineers, Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, for protesting at company events against the Israeli military’s use of the company’s AI products. Aboussad was fired over misconduct, disobedience, and neglect of duty, while Agrawal’s resignation was immediately made effective by Microsoft. The protests occurred during the company’s 50th anniversary event, overshadowing the celebration.
Aboussad publicly criticized Microsoft for selling AI weapons to the Israeli military and accused the company of supporting genocide in Palestine. She emailed executives stating she could not write code that violated human rights. Agrawal also interrupted a speech by CEO Satya Nadella, accusing Microsoft of being complicit in the military-industrial complex and digital weapons manufacturing.
Microsoft responded by saying it provides avenues for all voices to be heard but expects protests to not disrupt business. The company cited the need to maintain high standards of business practices. The protests come at a challenging time for Microsoft, as it grapples with the impact of President Trump’s tariffs and faces scrutiny over its involvement with the military.
Both engineers were accused by Microsoft of seeking attention and causing disruption, leading to the termination of their employment. The incidents highlight growing concerns within the tech industry about the ethical implications of developing and selling AI technology to military entities.
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