Microsoft Provides AI to Israeli Military During Gaza Conflict
Microsoft has acknowledged providing advanced artificial intelligence and cloud computing services to the Israeli military during the recent conflict in Gaza. The company stated that it aided efforts to locate and rescue Israeli hostages but found no evidence that its technologies were used to harm people in Gaza.
In an unsigned blog post, Microsoft revealed its deep involvement in the war, which began after Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza. The company’s Azure platform and AI technologies were used by the Israeli military for various purposes, including transcribing, translating, and processing intelligence gathered through mass surveillance.
Microsoft’s statement came nearly three months after an Associated Press investigation revealed details about the company’s close partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The investigation showed that the Israeli military’s use of commercial AI products increased nearly 200 times following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Human rights groups have expressed concerns about tech companies selling AI products to militaries, citing the potential for flawed systems to be used in targeting decisions that result in civilian casualties. Microsoft said it had provided the Israeli military with software, professional services, Azure cloud storage, and Azure AI services, including language translation.
The company claimed to have provided “special access to our technologies beyond the terms of our commercial agreements” and “limited emergency support” to Israel as part of the hostage rescue efforts. Microsoft stated that it followed its principles carefully, aiming to save hostages’ lives while honoring the privacy and rights of civilians in Gaza.
However, the company conceded that it lacks visibility into how customers use its software on their own servers or devices. Microsoft also acknowledged that it cannot know how its products might be used through other commercial cloud providers.
The Israeli military has extensive contracts with major American tech firms, including Google, Amazon, and Palantir, in addition to Microsoft. Microsoft emphasized that its customers, including the Israeli military, are bound by its Acceptable Use Policy and AI Code of Conduct, which prohibit using products to inflict harm prohibited by law.
Experts and activists have reacted to Microsoft’s statement with mixed responses. Some have praised the company’s move toward transparency, while others have called for more detailed information about its involvement with the Israeli military.
The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon causing over 50,000 deaths, many of whom were women and children. The use of advanced technologies in such conflicts raises complex ethical questions about the role of tech companies in modern warfare.
