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Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Microsoft's Gaza dissenters and the price of integrity
Listen to article By now, the story has reverberated across the globe: two Microsoft engineers, Ibtihal Abou El Saad and Vaniya Agrawal, boldly confronted their employer over its role in supporting Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Their protest — delivered face-to-face to Microsoft's top leadership during its 50th anniversary celebration — was not a mere interruption. It was a rare act of moral courage that shattered a carefully curated silence in the tech industry and exposed the cost of complicity. Both women were fired shortly after their protests. But their actions will likely echo far longer than any corporate event ever could. At different moments during the celebration, they each took a stand: Aboussad interrupted a keynote by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, demanding accountability as she declared, "How dare you celebrate when Microsoft is killing children." Agrawal later confronted Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and co-founder Bill Gates, publicly accusing the company of profiting from bloodshed in Gaza. Their outrage was backed by evidence. Earlier this year, the Associated Press revealed that Microsoft's AI tools were used by the Israeli military in Gaza — one of the first documented cases of US-made AI deployed in live warfare. The technology helped select bombing targets, drive mass surveillance and automate military decisions, raising serious concerns about civilian casualties and potential war crimes. Agrawal, in her company-wide resignation letter, asked, "Which 'people' are we empowering with our technology? The oppressors enforcing an apartheid regime? The war criminals committing a genocide?" She denounced Microsoft as a "digital weapons manufacturer" complicit in surveillance, apartheid and genocide. These are not rhetorical flourishes. They are claims rooted in documented collaborations, including a $133 million contract between Microsoft and Israel's Ministry of Defense, and internal documents showing Microsoft's cloud and AI services are used for Israeli military targeting and intelligence. When insiders expose the human cost of innovation, they force companies — and the public — to confront uncomfortable truths. This is especially important in Big Tech, where language about "empowerment" and "innovation" often masks the export of tools for surveillance and destruction. By challenging their own employer, Aboussad and Agrawal made it harder for Microsoft, or any other firm, to claim plausible deniability. And more crucially, they gave cover to others who may want to speak but fear reprisal. "Don't stop speaking up," Agrawal urged colleagues in her farewell message. The ripple effect is already visible. Their protest was livestreamed and widely shared, and they've become rallying figures for the No Azure for Apartheid campaign. Aboussad's subsequent video, calling for a global boycott of Microsoft products, has further amplified their message. One of the cruel truths of speaking out is that punishment is swift, while vindication is slow. Abou El Saad and Agrawal were dismissed under vague claims of "misconduct" and disruption. But being fired for principle isn't the end — it's often the beginning of a more purposeful path. Throughout history, whistleblowers and dissenters have faced isolation before recognition. Yet many have gone on to shape public discourse, influence policy and find roles that better reflect their values. If public support continues to grow — as it already is — these two may ultimately land in positions of even greater impact than the ones they left behind. Microsoft's response is a cautionary tale — not just for Big Tech, but for any institution that prioritises profit over principle. By firing two engineers for raising ethical concerns about the use of its AI in what many — including UN experts — describe as genocidal violence, the company sent a chilling message: dissent, even when rooted in human rights and international law, will be punished. Yet the attempt to silence them may have backfired. In trying to suppress their voices, Microsoft only amplified them. The protest — staged not anonymously, but in full view of Mustafa Suleyman, Bill Gates, Satya Nadella and Steve Ballmer — now echoes far beyond that stage. And with each retelling, Vaniya Agrawal and Ibtihal Abou El Saad are not remembered as disruptors, but as moral heroes. Their stand evokes a darker chapter in corporate history. During the Holocaust, companies like IBM played a documented role in enabling the Nazi regime — supplying punch card systems used for census-taking, surveillance, and even managing logistics for extermination. While many escaped accountability at the time, they did not escape history's judgment. Their names are now synonymous with corporate complicity, taught in classrooms and remembered in documentaries as cautionary tales. But today's companies won't have the luxury of historical amnesia. In an age of whistleblowers, livestreams and forensic journalism, complicity can no longer hide behind bureaucracy or branding. The new generation of workers and consumers is more informed, more connected, and far less forgiving. They will remember which side of history institutions chose when it mattered most. The question now facing Microsoft — and others entangled in military AI development — is not just legal, but moral. Who are you becoming as a company? What kind of future are you building - and at what cost? More employees are asking: Do I want to be writing code that kills? More consumers are asking: Is convenience worth complicity? The moral calculus is shifting. What was once buried in contracts and sanitised in corporate language is now exposed to the world. The era of tech exceptionalism — where innovation proceeded unchecked by ethics — is ending. Agrawal and Abou El Saad may have lost their jobs, but they preserved something far more enduring: their integrity. Speaking out despite the risks revealed not just their values, but their character. They reminded us that moral courage often begins in discomfort - and ends in legacy. In a time of institutional cowardice, they chose to protect their souls. They didn't just resign. They refused to code complicity. And that choice — their refusal to be silent — may be remembered as the moment the tide began to turn.
Channel Post MEA
22-04-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Microsoft Solidifies AI Skilling Commitment At Dubai AI Week 2025
At Dubai AI Week 2025, Microsoft is placing AI skilling and talent enablement at the center of its agenda, underscoring its belief that empowering individuals with the right capabilities is the foundation of a successful, inclusive AI-enabled future. In line with its ongoing initiatives to advance the AI National Skills Initiative, Microsoft will conduct virtual sessions in private schools across Dubai for teachers and students aged 14 to 18. These sessions will be offered in both English and Arabic. Students will be shown how AI powers tools like Bing Chat, Minecraft, and Copilot that they already use; and they will discover paths to AI literacy that are available to all for free, such as Microsoft Learn, LinkedIn Learning, and AI for Beginners. Teachers, meanwhile, will discover resources that allow them to explore Microsoft AI tools that use AI to enhance teaching and learning, such as Reading Coach, Reflect, Copilot, and Bing Chat. They will also be taught the importance of safe and responsible AI in the classroom. Participation from schools across Dubai signals national momentum toward building a digitally fluent society, where AI literacy is a core part of the learning journey. 'Dubai AI Week is a strategic platform for collaboration and action, and we're proud to be at the forefront, supporting the UAE's ambitious AI agenda,' said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. 'At Microsoft, we believe that skilling is the single most critical investment we can make to ensure that the benefits of AI reach everyone. By investing in talent development, fostering trusted partnerships, and ensuring responsible AI adoption, we're empowering every learner, educator, and organization with the tools and knowledge to unlock AI's full potential and drive innovation at scale.' In parallel with its skilling initiatives, Microsoft is contributing to high-level conversations on AI's role in shaping future industries and economies. Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft, will represent the company at the Emirates NBD-hosted GenAI Summit, joining leaders from McKinsey and Gartner to explore how generative AI is redefining financial services. Microsoft's senior leadership will also participate in the AI Retreat, a closed-door forum hosted by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The retreat convenes policymakers, technologists, and industry leaders to co-create the future of AI in government and business. Additional highlights of Microsoft's participation throughout the week include: Judging the Global Prompt Engineering Championship , spotlighting emerging AI talent. , spotlighting emerging AI talent. Daily AI skilling sessions at the AI Assembly , delivered in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation and open to customers and partners seeking to advance their AI literacy. , delivered in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation and open to customers and partners seeking to advance their AI literacy. Exclusive executive roundtables focused on the application of agentic AI in retail and the public sector, enabling in-depth discussions around real-world challenges and opportunities. focused on the application of agentic AI in retail and the public sector, enabling in-depth discussions around real-world challenges and opportunities. Participation in Dubai AI Festival, where Microsoft will have a booth to showcase the latest Copilot innovations and subject-matter experts will participate in panels and roundtable discussions. Through this multi-tiered engagement, Microsoft is reinforcing its role as a trusted skilling partner, a technology leader, and a responsible innovator—helping the UAE and the broader region unlock the full potential of AI. 0 0
Al Bawaba
22-04-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Microsoft advances ‘1 million AI learners' commitment at Dubai AI Week 2025
At Dubai AI Week 2025, Microsoft is placing AI skilling and talent enablement at the center of its agenda, underscoring its belief that empowering individuals with the right capabilities is the foundation of a successful, inclusive AI-enabled future. In line with its ongoing initiatives to advance the AI National Skills Initiative, Microsoft will conduct virtual sessions in private schools across Dubai for teachers and students aged 14 to 18. These sessions will be offered in both English and Arabic. Students will be shown how AI powers tools like Bing Chat, Minecraft, and Copilot that they already use; and they will discover paths to AI literacy that are available to all for free, such as Microsoft Learn, LinkedIn Learning, and AI for Beginners. Teachers, meanwhile, will discover resources that allow them to explore Microsoft AI tools that use AI to enhance teaching and learning, such as Reading Coach, Reflect, Copilot, and Bing Chat. They will also be taught the importance of safe and responsible AI in the classroom. Participation from schools across Dubai signals national momentum toward building a digitally fluent society, where AI literacy is a core part of the learning journey. 'Dubai AI Week is a strategic platform for collaboration and action, and we're proud to be at the forefront, supporting the UAE's ambitious AI agenda,' said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. 'At Microsoft, we believe that skilling is the single most critical investment we can make to ensure that the benefits of AI reach everyone. By investing in talent development, fostering trusted partnerships, and ensuring responsible AI adoption, we're empowering every learner, educator, and organization with the tools and knowledge to unlock AI's full potential and drive innovation at scale.' In parallel with its skilling initiatives, Microsoft is contributing to high-level conversations on AI's role in shaping future industries and economies. Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft, will represent the company at the Emirates NBD-hosted GenAI Summit, joining leaders from McKinsey and Gartner to explore how generative AI is redefining financial services. Microsoft's senior leadership will also participate in the AI Retreat, a closed-door forum hosted by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The retreat convenes policymakers, technologists, and industry leaders to co-create the future of AI in government and business. Additional highlights of Microsoft's participation throughout the week include: Judging the Global Prompt Engineering Championship, spotlighting emerging AI talent. Daily AI skilling sessions at the AI Assembly, delivered in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation and open to customers and partners seeking to advance their AI literacy. Exclusive executive roundtables focused on the application of agentic AI in retail and the public sector, enabling in-depth discussions around real-world challenges and opportunities. Participation in Dubai AI Festival, where Microsoft will have a booth to showcase the latest Copilot innovations and subject-matter experts will participate in panels and roundtable discussions. Through this multi-tiered engagement, Microsoft is reinforcing its role as a trusted skilling partner, a technology leader, and a responsible innovator—helping the UAE and the broader region unlock the full potential of AI. Dubai AI Week is aimed at solidifying Dubai's role as a global hub for AI innovation, governance, and application. The five-day event brings together more than 180 thought leaders from more than 15 countries.
Zawya
22-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Microsoft advances ‘1 million AI learners' commitment at Dubai AI Week 2025
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – At Dubai AI Week 2025, Microsoft is placing AI skilling and talent enablement at the center of its agenda, underscoring its belief that empowering individuals with the right capabilities is the foundation of a successful, inclusive AI-enabled future. In line with its ongoing initiatives to advance the AI National Skills Initiative, Microsoft will conduct virtual sessions in private schools across Dubai for teachers and students aged 14 to 18. These sessions will be offered in both English and Arabic. Students will be shown how AI powers tools like Bing Chat, Minecraft, and Copilot that they already use; and they will discover paths to AI literacy that are available to all for free, such as Microsoft Learn, LinkedIn Learning, and AI for Beginners. Teachers, meanwhile, will discover resources that allow them to explore Microsoft AI tools that use AI to enhance teaching and learning, such as Reading Coach, Reflect, Copilot, and Bing Chat. They will also be taught the importance of safe and responsible AI in the classroom. Participation from schools across Dubai signals national momentum toward building a digitally fluent society, where AI literacy is a core part of the learning journey. 'Dubai AI Week is a strategic platform for collaboration and action, and we're proud to be at the forefront, supporting the UAE's ambitious AI agenda,' said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. 'At Microsoft, we believe that skilling is the single most critical investment we can make to ensure that the benefits of AI reach everyone. By investing in talent development, fostering trusted partnerships, and ensuring responsible AI adoption, we're empowering every learner, educator, and organization with the tools and knowledge to unlock AI's full potential and drive innovation at scale.' In parallel with its skilling initiatives, Microsoft is contributing to high-level conversations on AI's role in shaping future industries and economies. Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft, will represent the company at the Emirates NBD-hosted GenAI Summit, joining leaders from McKinsey and Gartner to explore how generative AI is redefining financial services. Microsoft's senior leadership will also participate in the AI Retreat, a closed-door forum hosted by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The retreat convenes policymakers, technologists, and industry leaders to co-create the future of AI in government and business. Additional highlights of Microsoft's participation throughout the week include: Judging the Global Prompt Engineering Championship, spotlighting emerging AI talent. Daily AI skilling sessions at the AI Assembly, delivered in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation and open to customers and partners seeking to advance their AI literacy. Exclusive executive roundtables focused on the application of agentic AI in retail and the public sector, enabling in-depth discussions around real-world challenges and opportunities. Participation in Dubai AI Festival, where Microsoft will have a booth to showcase the latest Copilot innovations and subject-matter experts will participate in panels and roundtable discussions. Through this multi-tiered engagement, Microsoft is reinforcing its role as a trusted skilling partner, a technology leader, and a responsible innovator—helping the UAE and the broader region unlock the full potential of AI. Dubai AI Week is aimed at solidifying Dubai's role as a global hub for AI innovation, governance, and application. The five-day event brings together more than 180 thought leaders from more than 15 countries. About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq 'MSFT' @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991, which, today, oversees operations across the region. For more information (Press only): Magdalena Stepien, Microsoft UAE E : mastepie@ Husain Gandhi, ProGlobal Media E:
Leaders
13-04-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Microsoft Shares Fall After Accusations of Assisting Israeli Genocide with AI Models
Microsoft shares had fallen sharply after former Microsoft AI engineer Ibtihal Aboussad courageously interrupted the company's 50th anniversary celebration and accused Microsoft of supporting Genocide in Gaza. The Moroccan engineer has interrupted Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman's speech and accused the company of providing the Israeli military with artificial intelligence technologies during its war in Gaza, according to the Associated Press. 'Mustafa, shame on you.' 'You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty-thousand people have died and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region,' Aboussad shouted and paused Suleyman's speech. Suleyman calmly attempted to de-escalate the situation and said, 'Thank you for your protest, I hear you.' However, Aboussad shouted and said that Suleyman and 'all of Microsoft' had blood on their hands. As a response, Microsoft has fired Aboussad and accused her of making 'hostile, unprovoked, and highly inappropriate accusations' against Suleyman. After the video went viral on social media, thousands of Arabs have harshly criticized Suleyman in his account on LinkedIn. Meanwhile, people on social media widely shared Aboussad's video and commended her courage and noble instance. Israel significantly depends on AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI to determine bombing targets during its wars in Gaza and Lebanon, according to an investigation by the Associated Press News Agency. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza, the Israeli occupation has killed at least 50,695 Palestinians and wounded 115,338, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Israel Targets Gaza City's Last Functioning Hospital as Hamas Delegation Arrives in Cairo Saudi Arabia Urges Global Action to End Gaza Blockade Israeli Military Fires Reservists over Gaza War Criticism Short link : Post Views: 4
