- Microsoft confirmed it provided AI and cloud services to the Israeli military during the Gaza conflict, including Azure and AI-based language translation services.
- The company emphasized that its technology was not used to target civilians, despite ethical concerns about the use of commercial technology in military operations.
What happened: Microsoft confirms providing AI and cloud services to Israeli military amid Gaza conflict
Microsoft has confirmed that it sold AI and cloud computing services, including its Azure platform, to the Israeli military during the ongoing war in Gaza. The company stated that it has conducted an internal review and engaged with an external firm for additional fact-finding. Based on these reviews, including interviews with employees and assessment of documents, Microsoft found no evidence that its technologies were used to target or harm people in the conflict.
The company acknowledged providing the Israeli Ministry of Defense with software, professional services, Azure cloud services, and Azure AI services, including language translation. Additionally, Microsoft has been working with the Israeli government to protect its national cyberspace against external threats.
This confirmation follows earlier investigations suggesting a business relationship between Microsoft and the Israeli military, despite Microsoft not securing the 2021 Project Nimbus contract, which was awarded to Google and Amazon Web Services. Reports indicate that, during the war in Gaza, Microsoft supplied Israel’s defense services with at least $10 million in computing and storage services. Some reports also suggest that Microsoft’s Azure platform was used across Israel’s air, ground, and naval forces, and by its intelligence department, for both administrative and combat purposes.
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Why it’s important
The use of AI and cloud computing services in military operations raises significant ethical and legal questions, particularly concerning the potential for harm to civilians. While Microsoft asserts that its technologies were not used to harm people in Gaza, the lack of visibility into how its products are utilized by customers poses challenges in ensuring compliance with its terms of service and acceptable use policies. The company’s involvement underscores the growing role of commercial tech companies in modern warfare and the need for robust oversight and accountability mechanisms.
