Pro-palestinian Protester Interrupts Microsoft Ai Ceo During Live Event

A pro-Palestinian protester interrupted a position by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman connected Friday, accusing nan tech institution of trading artificial intelligence exertion to Israeli subject forces.  

In a video of nan presentation, nan protester tin beryllium heard shouting, “You declare that you attraction astir utilizing AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to nan Israeli military. Fifty-thousand group person died ... each of Microsoft has humor connected its hands. How do you each observe erstwhile Microsoft is sidesplitting children? Shame connected you all.”  

Suleyman responded to nan protester saying, “Thank you, I perceive your protest.” The protester responded to Suleyman, saying, “You do not perceive us.” A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed successful a connection to NBC News that nan protester was removed aft nan incident.  

“We supply galore avenues for each voices to beryllium heard,” nan spokesperson wrote. “Importantly, we inquire that this beryllium done successful a measurement that does not origin a business disruption. If that happens, we inquire participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold nan highest standards.” 

The interruption came successful nan mediate of Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary Copilot Event astatine its office successful Redmond, Washington. During nan presentation, Suleyman was introducing new capabilities of nan company’s AI service, Copilot. A video livestreaming nan arena connected YouTube was made private aft videos of nan protester began circulating online.  

The pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement has condemned Microsoft successful nan past, accusing it of providing “Israel pinch technology, including artificial intelligence, that is deployed to facilitate sedate quality authorities violations, warfare crimes, crimes against humanity (including apartheid), arsenic good arsenic genocide.” 

Israel, which was established successful nan aftermath of nan Nazi Holocaust and is location to galore survivors and their families, has vigorously denied allegations of genocide. 

In February, citing Microsoft documents and Israeli officials, The Associated Press reported that Israel’s subject progressively relied connected Microsoft exertion aft nan onslaught by Hamas militants connected Oct. 7, 2023, utilizing Microsoft’s Azure to compile surveillance information. Microsoft has antecedently declined to comment connected allegations that nan institution has provided Israel pinch AI exertion successful nan past and did not reply questions from NBC News astir nan claims.  

Israel Defense Forces did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.