Microsoft’s 50th-anniversary celebration hit a snag Friday when a pro-Palestinian protest broke out during a live-streamed event, spotlighting the tech giant’s ties to Israel’s military AI use.
The disruption occurred during a demonstration of Copilot updates by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. Employee Ibtihal Aboussad abruptly stormed the stage, accusing the company of selling AI technology to Israel for use in targeting Gaza during bombings. “You claim AI is for good, but Microsoft supports Israel’s military,” she shouted, throwing a keffiyeh scarf symbolic of Palestinian solidarity at Suleyman before security escorted her off the stage.
🚨A Microsoft employee disrupted the company’s 50th anniversary event to protest its use of AI.
“Shame on you,” said Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad, speaking directly to Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. “You are a war profiteer. Stop using AI for genocide. Stop using AI… pic.twitter.com/PdIqa6TSHo
— Ramy Abdu| رامي عبده (@RamAbdu) April 4, 2025The protest reflects a larger wave of unrest. Vaniya Agrawal later interrupted a segment featuring co-founders Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and CEO Satya Nadella, similar to when five employees were removed from a meeting led by Nadella earlier this year.
Critics, including employees and activists, have condemned Microsoft’s AI models developed in partnership with OpenAI for their role in supporting Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. The Health Ministry in Gaza estimates that the death toll has exceeded 50,000, intensifying the backlash against Microsoft’s ties to the Israeli government.
"50,000 Palestinians have been murdered with Microsoft technology"
Multiple employee protests disrupted the Microsoft's 50th anniversary celebration at its Washington headquarters targeting the company's support to Israel pic.twitter.com/CqUGyS1RiW
— TRT World (@trtworld) April 5, 2025Microsoft responded, “We provide channels for all voices, but disruptions are not the answer.” The protests highlight a growing divide as the Gaza crisis intensifies, putting the company’s ethics under scrutiny on its milestone day.
