Vaniya Agrawal, an Indian-American software engineer, has once again disrupted a major Microsoft event, this time at the Build 2025 developer conference in Seattle, Washington. This marks her second high-profile interruption in recent months, both staged in protest of Microsoft's alleged complicity in Israel's military actions in Gaza.

Agrawal, who previously worked in Microsoft's AI division, first gained notoriety for disrupting the company's 50th-anniversary celebration in April. During that event, she confronted CEO Satya Nadella, along with former CEOs Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, accusing them of being "hypocrites" and complicit in the deaths of Palestinians due to Microsoft's technology. She was subsequently fired from Microsoft following this incident.

Undeterred, Agrawal, along with another former Microsoft employee, Hossam Nasr, interrupted a session at the Build 2025 conference led by Neta Haiby, Microsoft's Head of AI Security, and Sarah Bird, head of responsible AI. The pair shouted slogans and demanded accountability regarding Microsoft's contracts with the Israeli government. Agrawal specifically denounced Microsoft's alleged $133 million deal with Israel's Ministry of Defence, claiming that the company's AI and Azure cloud services were enabling the Israeli military to be "more lethal and destructive in Gaza." Security escorted them out of the event.

Agrawal's actions stem from her belief that Microsoft's technology is directly contributing to the suffering of Palestinians. In a company-wide email sent after her initial disruption in April, she wrote, "Microsoft cloud and AI enable the Israeli military to be more lethal and destructive in Gaza." She has publicly accused Microsoft's leadership of being complicit in civilian casualties.

Her actions have ignited debate about corporate ethics and accountability, particularly concerning technology companies' relationships with governments and militaries involved in conflicts. Supporters of Agrawal's protests argue that she is bravely using her platform to raise awareness about a critical issue and to hold powerful corporations accountable for their actions. Critics, on the other hand, argue that her disruptions are inappropriate and disrespectful, and that they undermine productive dialogue about complex issues.

Microsoft has not yet released an official statement regarding the latest disruption. However, the company has previously stated its commitment to ethical AI development and responsible business practices. The company faces mounting pressure from both internal and external sources to address concerns about its ties to the Israeli government and its potential impact on the conflict in Gaza. The repeated disruptions at Microsoft events underscore the intensity of these concerns and the challenges the company faces in navigating these complex ethical dilemmas. This incident marks the third consecutive day of pro-Palestine protests at the Build 2025 conference, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding the company's business dealings.