The launch of Microsoft’s Copilot AI was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters during a presentation livestreamed from the company’s headquarters. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was addressing an audience when a young woman in a hijab approached the stage, criticizing Microsoft for providing AI tools to military forces involved in the Gaza conflict. She claimed that Microsoft’s AI weapons have contributed to the deaths of 50,000 people and urged the company to stop using AI for genocide. The protester was escorted out without further incident, but her chants were heard throughout the venue. A second interruption occurred later when a group of about 30 protesters infiltrated the campus, chanting “Free Palestine” and playing drums. Despite the disruptions, Suleyman remained composed and completed his presentation, which highlighted new features for Copilot, including memory personalization, actions, camera integration, pages, podcasts, shopping, and deep research capabilities. Microsoft emphasized that Copilot operates only with user permission and prioritizes privacy and security.
— new from Variety
