'Shame on You': Indian-American Microsoft Engineer Vaniya Agarwal confronts gates, Nadella about AI use by Israel in Gaza | Today news

Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Washington on March 4 were disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters, including two employees (who have now resigned), who called out the alleged involvement of the technical giant with Israeli military operations. ‘Shame for everyone’ employee confronts Gates, Ballmer and Nadella Indian-American software engineer ofiya Agrawal confronted former and current CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella. “50,000 Palestinians in Gaza were killed with Microsoft Technology. How dare you all shame to celebrate on their blood,” Agrawal shouted. She condemned Microsoft’s $ 133 million Cloud and AI contract with Israel’s defense ministry and accused the company of enabling genocide in Gaza. Resignation letter distributed internally shortly after the protest march, Agrawal sent an email from the company announcing her resignation, with effect from April 11. In the email, obtained by the Verge, Tech News website, she said: “I cannot be part of a company that participates in this violent injustice in good conscience.” She referred to reports that Microsoft Azure and AI Technologies support Israel’s military operations and supervision, adding that “our labor of these genocide powers.” Agrawal called Microsoft a ‘digital weapons manufacturer, accusing the company of violating its own human rights obligations. “Microsoft leadership must be exempt from Israel and stop selling deadly technology to power murder and genocide,” she wrote. The final words of the employee: “Free Palestine” Agrawal has closed her resignation letter with a call to action, which encouraged colleagues to use their positions to challenge Microsoft’s policy: “If you need to continue to work at Microsoft, I urge you to use your position, power and privilege to hold Microsoft accountable for his own values ​​and mission.” She simply ended her note: “Farewell and free Palestine.” The first disruption came during a presentation by Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, who discussed the company’s AI assistant, Copilot. Ibtihal Aboussad, a Microsoft employee, stood up and accused Suleyman of being a ‘war gain’. According to footage and eyewitnesses, Microsoft is used to commit genocide. Suleyman replied, “Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” before Aboussad was escorted out of the venue. He later claimed to have lost access to her work account after the protest, according to Reuters report. Microsoft does not comment on the resignations of employees Microsoft did not publicly respond to the resignations of the employees or the accusations raised during the birthday event. While the company showed its progress in AI and productivity instruments during the celebration, the protests forced a sharp shift in tone. BACKGROUND: Escketary conflict and humanitarian crisis The latest phase of Israeli-Palestinian conflict began in October 2023 after a deadly attack on Hamas on Israel who killed 1,200 people and led to more than 250 Golde being taken. According to the Gazan health authorities, Israel’s military reaction has since killed more than 50,000 Palestinians. The war has moved almost all 2.3 million Gaza residents internally and created a deepening humanitarian crisis. Israel denies accusations of genocide and war crimes and says its actions target Hamas’ militants.