Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration took an unexpected turn when two employees staged protests against the company’s alleged involvement in supplying artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the Israeli military. The incident, which unfolded during the high-profile event at Microsoft’s Redmond campus, led to the termination of both employees shortly afterward. The protests have sparked debates over corporate ethics and employee rights within the tech industry.

The protests began on Friday, April 4, when Microsoft software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad interrupted a speech by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. Suleyman was presenting updates on Microsoft’s AI products and long-term vision when Aboussad approached the stage and accused the company of complicity in violence in Gaza and Lebanon.

Aboussad shouted, “You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty-thousand people have died, and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region.” She also threw a keffiyeh scarf onto the stage—a symbol of solidarity with Palestinian people—before being escorted out by security.

Later during the event, another employee, Vaniya Agrawal, disrupted a panel discussion featuring co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella. Agrawal had already submitted her resignation but was dismissed immediately following her actions.

Microsoft swiftly responded to the disruptions by terminating both employees. In a termination letter sent to Aboussad on Monday, April 7, the company accused her of misconduct aimed at gaining notoriety and causing maximum disruption during a highly anticipated event. The letter stated that her actions were “hostile, unprovoked, and highly inappropriate” and emphasized that she could have raised her concerns confidentially through internal channels rather than disrupting a public event.

Agrawal, who had planned to leave the company on April 11, received an email making her resignation effective immediately. Microsoft reiterated its stance in an internal memo sent to employees, stating: “We value open dialogue but cannot condone behavior that disrupts events or undermines operations.”

The protests were reportedly organized by a group called No Azure for Apartheid, which has been advocating for Microsoft to end its contracts with the Israeli government. The group alleges that Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform and AI models are being used in military operations that violate human rights.

An investigation earlier this year revealed that AI technologies from Microsoft and OpenAI were part of an Israeli military program used to select bombing targets during conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. This included details of an errant airstrike in 2023 that killed civilians in Lebanon.

While Microsoft insists it provides avenues for employees to voice concerns internally, critics argue that firing employees for protesting raises questions about freedom of speech within corporate environments. The incident also highlights growing tensions between tech companies’ business practices and their ethical responsibilities.

• The firings have drawn mixed reactions:
• Advocates for human rights have criticized Microsoft for prioritizing business interests over ethical accountability.
• Supporters of corporate discipline argue that disrupting a global event was inappropriate and unprofessional.
• This controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of tech companies’ involvement in defense contracts. Similar protests occurred at Google last year over its $1.2 billion Project Nimbus contract with Israel.

Key Highlights:

• Two Microsoft employees were fired after staging protests at the company’s 50th anniversary event against its AI contracts with Israel.
• Software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad accused Microsoft of complicity in violence during Suleyman’s speech; Vaniya Agrawal disrupted a later panel discussion.
• The protests were linked to allegations that Microsoft’s AI technologies are used in military operations violating human rights.
• The firings have sparked debates over corporate ethics and employee rights within tech companies.