Microsoft Terminates Employees Following High-Profile Protest at AI Event
Microsoft has reportedly dismissed two software engineers, Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, after they staged protests during the company’s high-profile Copilot and 50th anniversary event last week. The employees were protesting Microsoft’s alleged business dealings with the Israeli military.
The Incident Details
According to an internal message obtained by CNBC, Microsoft stated that Aboussad had alternative channels to voice concerns, including:
- Raising issues confidentially with management
- Contacting Global Employee Relations
The company emphasized that the employee instead chose to “intentionally disrupt” the keynote speech by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman.
What Happened During the Event
The protest unfolded in two parts:
- During Suleyman’s keynote: Aboussad interrupted the presentation, shouting that the executive had “blood on his hands” as he discussed new AI products.
- Later panel discussion: Agrawal disrupted a session featuring Microsoft leadership including CEO Satya Nadella, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and founder Bill Gates, exclaiming “shame on all of you… Cut ties with Israel.”
Aftermath and Employee Response
Following the incident, Aboussad reportedly sent an email to Microsoft staff and executives alleging that the company had suppressed dissenting voices among employees. The email included a link to a petition from “No Azure for Apartheid,” an employee group that has previously made headlines for protesting Microsoft’s work with Israel.
This development highlights ongoing tensions between tech companies and employees regarding ethical business practices, particularly in geopolitically sensitive areas. The situation raises important questions about:
- Employee activism in corporate settings
- Corporate responsibility in international conflicts
- Appropriate channels for workplace dissent
Microsoft has not publicly commented beyond the internal communication regarding the terminations.
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