The protest is also about computational resources, tech support hours, and not just source code. Anyone could download an open-source state-of-the-art multi-petabyte model given enough bandwidth and time, but not just anyone can run it
Although the documents do not specify how the different army units use these cloud storage and AI tools, they do indicate that about a third of the purchases were intended for “air-gapped” systems that are isolated from the internet and public networks, strengthening the possibility that the tools have been used for operational purposes — such as combat and intelligence — as opposed to simply logistical or bureaucratic functions. Indeed, two sources in Unit 8200 confirmed that the Military Intelligence Directorate purchased storage and AI services from Microsoft Azure for intelligence-gathering activities, and three other sources in the unit confirmed that similar services were purchased from Amazon’s cloud computing platform, AWS. The documents further show that Microsoft personnel work closely with units in the Israeli army to develop products and systems. Dozens of units have purchased “extended engineering services” from Microsoft, in which, according to the company’s website, “Microsoft experts become an integral part of the [customer’s] team.” The documents describe, for example, that in recent years the Military Intelligence Directorate has purchased private development meetings and professional workshops, which Microsoft’s experts have given to soldiers at a cost of millions of dollars. Between October 2023 and June 2024 alone, the Israeli Defense Ministry spent $10 million to purchase 19,000 hours of engineering support from Microsoft. An intelligence officer who served in a technological role in Unit 8200 in recent years, and worked directly with Microsoft Azure employees before October 7 to develop a surveillance system used to monitor Palestinians, told +972 and Local Call that the company’s developers became so embedded that he referred to them as “people who are already working with the unit,” as if they were soldiers.
idriss@lemm.ee 2 months ago
I get your point. But Microsoft knows exactly who is using their cloud and why (id proof and industry), vs something for everyone to grab (LF doesnt require id proof and industry). Microsoft is knowingly serving child murderers and it knows their tech is used to do exactly that.
You cannot ban kitchen knives because there were a mass stab, but you enforce strict background check so you dont sell rifles to school shooters.
In other words, impossible to enforce linux ban without removing the open source aspect of it and affect good people like, but totally possible just not serve somebody commiting a genocide.
CassiniWarden@infosec.pub 2 months ago
This is an important distinction, and one I wasn’t aware of, that Microsoft know exactly who, where and when the AI is being used, and what exactly it is being used for: the genocide of Palestinians. And who knows what other genocides will follow.
freely1333@reddthat.com 2 months ago
I mean they sell to tons of military folks I assume. I know people didn’t sign up for it but the difference between genocide and military operation is purely what side you’re on. Also where do we draw the line? Windows use? Or just ai because of the mass surveillance capabilities? I can’t see that genie going back in the bottle.
Nothing wrong with the protest and good on them for getting the word out because the scale is crazy but we saw this same shit 20 years ago and nobody has the appetite to politically challenge the status quo so far as the intelligence community etc. and scummy use of technology.
idriss@lemm.ee 2 months ago
Genocide vs military op depends on side? I am on neither side, an observer from outside and I can see one fully armed side holocausting another side for the past 70 years and making sure nobody from anywhere in the world complain about it through lobbying.
denialisposdtected@lemmy.cafe 2 months ago
The difference between rape and a good time is also purely what side you’re on.