Protest Disrupts Microsoft Keynote Over AI and Military Ties
Microsoft's Copilot-centric keynote on Friday was briefly disrupted by a protester who voiced concerns about the company's alleged collaboration with the Israeli military. The protester accused Microsoft of hypocrisy, stating, "You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military [...] All of Microsoft has blood on their hands."
Mustafa Sulyman, Microsoft's Head of Consumer AI, acknowledged the protest, responding with, "I hear your protest, thank you." The interruption brought to the forefront the ongoing controversy surrounding Microsoft's involvement in supplying AI technology potentially used in military operations.
Reports from February by The Associated Press indicated that sophisticated AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI, its close partner, were being utilized in an Israeli military program. This program was reportedly designed to assist in selecting bombing targets during conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Tragically, one reported incident involved a bombing that resulted in the deaths of several young girls and their grandmother.
This incident adds to a series of protests against Microsoft's purported involvement, including demonstrations organized by the company's own employees, highlighting the internal and external pressure Microsoft faces regarding its AI ethics and military partnerships.
Source: TechCrunch