Microsoft workers publish open letter alleging mandated AI use and complicity in human rights violations
Key points
- A group of Microsoft workers published an open letter criticising the company's generative AI approach
- The letter says the company mandates AI use among staff and alleges human rights violations (unverified)
- Per the New York Times, Microsoft recently offered voluntary buyouts after several earlier rounds of large-scale layoffs
A group of "concerned Microsoft workers" published an open letter criticising the company's "speed-at-all-costs" approach to generative AI, saying it mandates AI use among staff. The letter also accuses Microsoft of complicity in "human rights violations" over sales to Israel's military and contracts with US ICE. The allegations are made in the letter and have not been adjudicated. It follows recent voluntary buyouts, per a New York Times report cited by Vertical Slice, after several earlier rounds of large-scale layoffs.
Original report: Rock Paper Shotgun ↗Edited with AI assistance. Facts are based on official sources and original reports.