In a rare move of corporate disclosure, Microsoft has admitted it provided artificial intelligence and cloud computing tools to the Israeli military amid the ongoing war in Gaza. While confirming its involvement, the tech giant stated that no evidence currently shows these technologies were used to intentionally target or harm civilians in Gaza.
The announcement came through an unsigned blog on Microsoft’s official platform, breaking silence on its deeper engagement since the conflict’s escalation following the October 7 attack. The post confirmed the company supplied software, Azure cloud services, AI tools including language translation, and cybersecurity support. Microsoft also revealed it granted “special access” and limited emergency support during efforts to rescue over 250 hostages captured by Hamas.
The company claims its assistance was strictly overseen and selectively approved. “We provided this help with significant oversight and on a limited basis, including approval of some requests and denial of others,” it stated. Microsoft emphasized its belief that it acted in accordance with its ethical principles while seeking to protect civilian privacy and human rights.
Following mounting concerns from employees and media scrutiny, Microsoft launched an internal review and hired an external firm for a deeper probe. However, details remain sparse. The firm’s name, its report, and specifics on how the AI tools were used remain undisclosed. The company also noted its limitations in tracking how clients deploy software on their private infrastructure or via third-party cloud providers.
This admission trails a prior investigative report revealing Microsoft’s technologies were used to process intelligence gathered from mass surveillance, cross-referenced with in-house targeting systems. Human rights activists have voiced fears that such automated systems may misidentify targets, risking innocent lives.
Analysts highlight the unusual nature of a private corporation defining terms for military operations. “It’s like a tank maker telling a government how it may or may not use the tanks. This is uncharted territory,” remarked a security fellow from a global research institute.
Employee advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid has demanded Microsoft release the full findings. Critics argue the blog post is more reputational damage control than meaningful transparency.
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