Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary Marked by Protests

Microsoft’s 50th anniversary event in Washington on March 4 faced disruptions from pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including two employees who have since left the company, voicing concerns about the tech giant’s suspected involvement in Israeli military actions.

One of the protestors was Vaniya Agrawal, a software engineer from the AI division of Microsoft. In a striking act of defiance, she took the stage to denounce the company, accusing it of contributing to violence in Gaza. During the event, she announced her resignation, referring to Microsoft as a “digital weapons manufacturer” before being escorted away from the venue.

Allegations Against Microsoft

Agrawal condemned Microsoft’s purported $133 million deal with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, asserting that the company’s AI and Azure cloud platforms were providing critical support for military operations against Palestinians.

In a company-wide email after her public confrontation with the CEO, Agrawal stated, “Microsoft cloud and AI enable the Israeli military to be more lethal and destructive in Gaza.” She emphasized that Microsoft’s Azure services and AI innovations constitute the technological foundation of Israel’s automated systems described as apartheid and genocide.

She referenced reports that connect Microsoft technologies to Israel’s systems of surveillance and warfare, adding, “our labour powers this genocide.”

Employee Dissent at Microsoft

Agrawal, who joined Microsoft in September 2023 after over three years at Amazon, had been working within the artificial intelligence sector. Her protest marked a significant moment in a rising tide of discontent among Microsoft employees. Earlier in February, five employees were expelled from a meeting with CEO Satya Nadella after they interrupted the session to voice similar grievances.

To date, Microsoft has not provided a public response to the accusations or Agrawal’s resignation. The anniversary celebration, intended to spotlight the company’s advancements in AI and productivity, experienced a sudden shift in narrative due to the demonstration. After Agrawal was removed from the event, Bill Gates continued the programme without addressing the protest.