Microsoft Engineer Resigns After Publicly Confronting Gates and Nadella Over AI Use in Gaza

Microsoft’s 50th anniversary event in Washington took an unexpected turn as two employees, including Indian-American software engineer Vaniya Agrawal, interrupted the celebration to protest the company’s reported involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza.

During a high-profile panel featuring Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella, Agrawal shouted:
“50,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been murdered with Microsoft technology. How dare you. Shame on all of you for celebrating on their blood.”

Agrawal condemned Microsoft’s alleged $133 million AI and cloud computing deal with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, accusing the company of enabling what she described as genocide. Her protest was followed by a company-wide resignation letter in which she stated:
“I cannot, in good conscience, be part of a company that participates in this violent injustice.”

In her message, she labeled Microsoft a “digital weapons manufacturer” and called for the tech giant to divest from Israel. Her final message read: “Farewell and Free Palestine.”

Another employee, Ibtihal Aboussad, disrupted a talk by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, calling him a “war profiteer.” Suleyman acknowledged the protest by responding, “Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” before security escorted Aboussad out. She later reported losing access to her work account.

Microsoft has not commented on the resignations or the allegations, choosing instead to stay focused on its AI and productivity showcases at the event. The protests, however, cast a stark spotlight on internal dissent at one of the world’s most powerful tech companies amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.