Palestinian pro-protesters suspended a presentation by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Souleman on Friday, accusing high-tech companies of selling artificial intelligence technology to Israeli military.
In the video of the presentation, the protesters claim that they care about using AI, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. 50,000 people have died… Microsoft celebrates everything.
Suleyman told the protesters, “Thank you, listen to your protest.” The protesters told Thuleman, “You won’t listen to us.” A Microsoft spokesman confirmed in a statement to NBC News that the protesters were removed after the incident.
“We provide many paths so that every voice can be heard,” the spokesman wrote. “Importantly, I ask that this be done in a way that does not cause business disruption. If that happens, we ask participants to move. We are committed to ensuring that business practices remain at the highest standards.”
The suspension was in the middle of a Microsoft 50th Anniversary Secretariat event at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. During the presentation, Suleyman introduced a new feature in Copilot, the company’s AI service. Videos that live streamed events on YouTube have now become private after protesters’ videos began streaming online.
The Palestinian boycott, sale and sanctions have previously denounced Microsoft, accusing Israel of “they are deploying technology deployed to promote grave rights violations, war crimes, crimes against humanity (including the Apartments), and genocide.”
Israel, founded in the wake of the Nazi Holocaust and home to many survivors and their families, has vehemently denied allegations of genocide.
In February, citing Microsoft documents and Israeli officials, The Associated Press reported that Israeli military forces are increasingly dependent on Microsoft technology after the attacks by Hamas extremists on October 7, 2023. Microsoft previously declined to comment on allegations that the company had previously provided AI technology to Israel and did not answer questions about NBC News’ claims.
The Israeli Defense Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
