In a dramatic confrontation highlighting the growing ethical tensions in Big Tech, Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration in Redmond, Washington, turned into a public spectacle of dissent. Two employees interrupted key moments of the event, accusing the company of complicity in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to its AI technologies being used by the Israeli military.
The Celebration That Turned into a Reckoning
Microsoft had planned the April 4 event as a celebration of its 50-year legacy, featuring a high-profile lineup including co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella. During the event, Mustafa Suleyman, recently appointed AI CEO and co-founder of DeepMind, was unveiling new features of the company’s AI assistant, Copilot, when the first protest erupted.
Midway through Suleyman’s presentation, Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad stood up, walked toward the stage, and loudly condemned the company’s alleged military contracts with Israel. “Mustafa, shame on you,” she declared. “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.”
Suleyman, momentarily taken aback, responded calmly, “Thank you for your protest, I hear you.” Aboussad continued her condemnation, accusing Microsoft of having “blood on its hands” and threw a keffiyeh scarf—a symbol of Palestinian resistance—onto the stage before being removed by security.
Second Protest Targets Microsoft’s Top Brass
Later in the event, a second Microsoft employee, Vaniya Agrawal, interrupted a rare on-stage reunion of Gates, Ballmer, and Nadella. Agrawal voiced outrage over Microsoft’s alleged $133 million contract with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, claiming the technology was being used in surveillance systems and military targeting against Palestinians.
This marked the first time since 2014 that the three most prominent figures in Microsoft’s leadership history had appeared together publicly, only to have their gathering overshadowed by ethical concerns over AI’s militarization.
Mounting Evidence of AI’s Role in Conflict
The employee protests were fueled by an Associated Press investigation that found Microsoft and OpenAI technologies had been used by the Israeli military in AI-assisted targeting systems. These systems allegedly help identify and prioritize bombing targets in Gaza and Lebanon.
In one particularly tragic incident, an Israeli airstrike based on AI recommendations targeted a civilian vehicle, killing three Lebanese girls and their grandmother. The report suggested that while the AI tools accelerated decision-making in warfare, they also raised significant ethical and legal questions about accountability and civilian risk.
A Culture of Dissent Inside Microsoft
This is not the first time Microsoft employees have voiced opposition to the company’s military ties. In February 2025, five employees were removed from an internal meeting with Satya Nadella after protesting similar concerns. The difference this time: the protests occurred during a global livestream, making it impossible for Microsoft to quietly manage the fallout.
Microsoft responded with a brief statement: “We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard. Importantly, we ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption. If that happens, we ask participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold the highest standards.”
Following the protest, Aboussad and Agrawal reportedly lost access to their Microsoft accounts, suggesting potential termination, although the company has not officially commented on their employment status.
Broader Industry Reckoning on Ethics and AI
Microsoft is not alone in facing internal and external criticism for military contracts. Other tech giants, including Google, Amazon, and Palantir, have also faced backlash for supplying AI systems to governments engaged in controversial military or policing operations.
The incident further intensifies an ongoing debate about the role of AI in modern warfare and the ethical responsibilities of technology companies. Critics argue that AI, when used in targeting systems, can dehumanize decisions and result in increased civilian casualties under the guise of precision.
On the other hand, some analysts argue that AI can reduce collateral damage by improving target accuracy. But the lack of transparency in how these models are deployed and who controls the final decisions raises serious ethical red flags.
Gaza Conflict: A Humanitarian Crisis Amplified by Tech?
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated drastically. As of April 2025, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 50,000 confirmed Palestinian deaths, with thousands more buried under rubble. The enclave’s Government Media Office estimates the real death toll to be above 61,700, suggesting the use of advanced targeting technologies hasn’t reduced human suffering as promised.
These revelations have led to increasing scrutiny of AI’s military applications from human rights organizations, governments, and even within the tech sector itself.
Conclusion: Microsoft’s Ethical Dilemma at 50
What should have been a celebration of Microsoft’s five-decade-long legacy has instead become a spotlight on its future—one increasingly defined by AI, and now, the ethics surrounding it. As tech companies grow more entwined with geopolitical conflicts, questions about corporate responsibility and AI governance will only intensify.
Microsoft’s attempt to showcase its AI leadership now stands as a cautionary tale of how technology’s benefits can be eclipsed by its misuse, and how employees are no longer content to remain silent about the moral implications of their work.
