A joint investigation has revealed the extensive collaboration between Microsoft and the Israeli military, highlighting the deep integration of the tech giant's cloud and AI services in military operations. The investigation, conducted by +972 Magazine, Local Call, and The Guardian, is based on leaked documents from Israel's Defence Ministry and Microsoft's Israeli subsidiary. It sheds light on the increasing reliance of the Israeli military on civilian tech giants since the escalation of the Gaza war in October 2023.

The documents indicate that Microsoft's Azure cloud platform and artificial intelligence tools have been widely adopted by various units within the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), including the Air Force, Navy, and elite intelligence units such as Unit 8200. Among the tools provided are OpenAI's GPT-4 language model, speech-to-text software, and document analysis systems. Since the conflict began, the military's use of these AI services has surged dramatically, with consumption reportedly increasing 64 times by March 2024.

Specific military units using Microsoft's services include the Air Force's Ofek Unit, responsible for managing databases of potential airstrike targets, and Unit 81, which develops surveillance technologies. Additionally, Microsoft's cloud infrastructure supports the "Rolling Stone" system, which tracks population movements in the West Bank and Gaza. The leaked files also suggest that some systems are "air-gapped," operating independently from the internet and public networks, indicating their potential use in combat and intelligence rather than administrative functions.

As per the report, Microsoft personnel have embedded with military units to assist with the development and implementation of these technologies. The documents reveal that the Israeli Defence Ministry has spent millions on engineering support and private workshops provided by Microsoft experts, who were closely involved in developing surveillance systems and other tools.

The investigation also highlights changes in OpenAI's policies. Before 2024, OpenAI's terms prohibited the use of its technology for military purposes. However, the company quietly removed this clause and expanded its partnerships with military and intelligence agencies, coinciding with the Israeli army's intensified use of GPT-4 during the Gaza conflict. OpenAI has denied having a direct partnership with the IDF, while Microsoft has declined to comment on the investigation.

This collaboration is part of a broader trend of integrating civilian cloud services into Israeli military operations. In a lecture last July, a senior IDF officer acknowledged that the military's operational capabilities had been significantly enhanced by the adoption of cloud computing and AI technologies. She described the services provided by companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon as pivotal in overcoming resource shortages during the war.

The report shows the growing entanglement between the tech industry and military operations, raising questions about the ethical and legal implications of such partnerships in conflict zones. You can find the full report by +972 Magazine here and by The Guardian here.