• A pro-Palestinian demonstrator, Ibtihal Aboussad, holds a Koufiyyah as they interrupt Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman during a presentation of the company's AI assistant, Copilot, ahead of a 50th-anniversary presentation at Microsoft headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP)

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was interrupted during a live-streamed presentation at the company's headquarters by a protester criticizing Microsoft for selling AI tools to the Israeli military, which she affirmed were being used in the war on Gaza.

As Suleyman was presenting new features for Microsoft’s Copilot software, a young woman approached him on stage and shouted, “You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. 50,000 people have died, and Microsoft, all of Microsoft, has blood on its hands. How do you all celebrate when Microsoft is killing children? Shame on you.” She also waved a koufiyyeh in a show of support for Palestine.

“Stop using AI for genocide, Mustafa,” she said before leaving. “Stop using AI for genocide in our world.”

The woman was escorted out by Microsoft staff, but her shouts could still be heard throughout the presentation area. Suleyman remained calm, responding, “I hear your protest.”

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was interrupted during a presentation by a protestor slamming Microsoft for AI tools used by military forces involved in the war in Gaza. https://t.co/Um7pP1rbDm pic.twitter.com/u6pfYMArxz

— Variety (@Variety) April 4, 2025

The presentation was disrupted again later when a group of around 30 protesters, who had gained access to Microsoft’s campus in Redmond, Washington, could be heard chanting “Free Free Palestine” and drumming inside the tent. 

In a statement, a Microsoft spokesperson commented on the protest, saying, “We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard. Importantly, we ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption. If that happens, we ask participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold the highest standards.”

The protest occurred during an event where actress Brenda Song was hosting a session to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Microsoft’s founding on April 4, 1975. Redmond police were called to disperse the crowd, and the situation was handled by Microsoft security.

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