Microsoft acknowledges it supplied AI technology to Israel's Ministry of Defense, but claims "no evidence" it's been used to "target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza"
https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-acknowledges-it-supplied-ai-technology-to-israels-ministry-of-defense-but-no-evidence-its-been-used-to-target-or-harm-people-in-the-conflict-in-gaza
Microsoft published a statement last week, where it admitted to providing IMOD with "software, professional services, Azure cloud services, and Azure AI services, including language translation". It added: "As with many governments around the world, we also work with the Israeli government to protect its national cyberspace against external threats".
The statement follows reports of Israel using AI in its conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths. As reported by The Guardian last year, the Israeli military employed its own AI system, called Lavender, with intelligence sources claiming Israeli military officials permitted large numbers of Palestinian civilians to be killed.
It made the gaming news now. MS admitting their working with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, but claims they don't know. There is tons and tons of evidence of Israel using AI to target and erase entire families.
Even if somehow Azure and MS AI are not directly involved, they're still supporting the defense ministry responsible for carrying out genocide.
Plus:
Microsoft noted it does occasionally provide special access to its technologies beyond the terms of its commercial agreements. It did this in the weeks following 7th October 2023 by providing limited emergency support to the Israeli government to help rescue hostages, but with "significant oversight and on a limited basis".
The company also acknowledged it does not have visibility into how its customers use its technology on their own servers, typically the case for "on premise software". As such, it does not have visibility to the IMOD's government cloud operations.
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Last year, a group of current and former Microsoft employees launched the No Azure for Apartheid petition, which currently has 1527 signatures. The group has now called for Microsoft to make this investigation public.
"It's very clear that their intention with this statement is not to actually address their worker concerns, but rather to make a PR stunt to whitewash their image that their relationship with the Israeli military has tarnished," said former employee Hossam Nasr to Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Nasr was fired in October for helping to organise an unauthorised vigil for Palestinians killed in Gaza at Microsoft's headquarters.
As RockPaperShotgun reported, the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement called for a boycott of Microsoft products last month in protest against the company's reported connections with the Israeli military. Back in February, the Associated Press published a report into the use of AI technology by the Israeli military, including Microsoft and OpenAI.
Similarly, the developer of indie role-player Tenderfoot Tactics removed the game from sale on Xbox in support of the boycott.
Petition here:
No Azure for Apartheid petition
Currently at 8860 signatures
