During the celebration of Microsoft’s 50th Foundation Day, an Indian-origin software engineer publicly protested to the company’s top leadership, questioning Microsoft’s role in the Palestine- Israel war. After this incident, he resigned from the company.
Vaniya Agarwal, working at Microsoft since September 2023, protested in front of Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, Satya Nadella and new AI CEO Mustafa Suleiman on the company’s 50th Foundation Day. She accused Microsoft of providing AI technology to the Israeli army during the ongoing war in Gaza.
Key Points:
- Indian-origin Microsoft engineer Vaniya Agarwal questioned Microsoft’s role in the Palestine- Israel war on the company’s 50th Foundation Day.
- She alleged that Microsoft’s AI technology is being used by the Israeli army to kill innocent people in Gaza.
- After the protest, Vania resigned from Microsoft, his last working day will be April 11.
- Earlier, another employee, Ibtihal Aboussad, also protested, calling Microsoft’s new AI CEO Mustafa Suleiman an “accomplice to genocide”.
Microsoft accused of collaborating in Gaza war.
According to an Associated Press report, AI technology developed by Microsoft and OpenAI is being used by the Israeli army to determine bombing targets in Gaza and Lebanon. In his protest, Vania said 50,000 Palestinians have died due to Microsoft’s technology. Shame on you!”
Protests growing in Silicon Valley
This protest at Microsoft is part of a larger movement going on in Silicon Valley. Many tech companies and academic institutions have faced criticism for collaborating with Israel. According to international agencies, more than 50,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since October 2023, and about 2.3 million people have been rendered homeless.
Who is Vania Aggarwal?
Vania worked at Amazon before Microsoft. She has also worked in different professions like medical assistant, tea consultant and pharmacy technician. She holds a software engineering degree from Arizona State University and is a recipient of the Grace Hopper Scholarship.
What did Microsoft say?
Microsoft has not yet issued any official statement on this matter. However, after the protest by the employees, questions have started being raised on the company’s technical cooperation with Israel.
Why did Vaniya Agarwal resign from Microsoft?
On the occasion of Microsoft’s 50th Foundation Day, Vaniya Agarwal raised questions about the role of the company, especially about Microsoft providing AI technology to the Israeli army during the ongoing war in Gaza. He alleged that Palestinians are dying due to this technology. He resigned from Microsoft after the protests.
What allegations did Vania Aggarwal make against Microsoft?
Vania alleged that Microsoft’s AI technology is being used by the Israeli army to kill innocent people in Gaza. He said that more than 50,000 Palestinians have died due to this technology.
Who is Vaniya Agarwal?
Vaniya Agarwal is an Indian-origin software engineer who has been working at Microsoft since September 2023. She has also previously worked at Amazon and holds a degree in software engineering from Arizona State University.
How did Microsoft react to this?
Microsoft has not yet released any official statement on the matter, but after the protest by employees, questions are being raised on the company’s technical cooperation with Israel.
What is the impact of this protest in Silicon Valley?
This protest is part of a larger movement in Silicon Valley, where many tech companies and academic institutions are being criticized for collaborating with Israel.
Have other employees protested?
Yes, another employee, Ibtihal Aboussad, also protested, calling Microsoft’s new AI CEO Mustafa Suleiman an “accomplice to genocide.”
What are the Palestinian death tolls in the Gaza War?
From October 2023 to now, the Gaza War has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and left around 2.3 million homeless.
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