Daily Mail: 'We did not sign up to develop weapons': Hundreds of Microsoft workers protest $480m HoloLens reality headset deal with the U.S. military
* Microsoft employees have circulated a letter addressed to company bosses arguing they should not supply HoloLens technology to the US military
* Microsoft has unveiled a next-generation AR headset available for workers
* Company was awarded the contract to supply 'Integrated Visual Augmentation System' prototypes to the US military in November
* They could eventually deliver over 100,000 headsets under the contract
* Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality technology allows users to see the world around them, but with virtual graphics overlaid
* The Israeli military, which has already taken delivery of some HoloLens headsets
* Technology could be used to help commanders visualize the battlefield and field medics to consult doctors
A group of Microsoft workers are demanding the company cancel a contract supplying the U.S. Army with HoloLens headsets that they say would turn real-world battlefields into a video game.
Microsoft's head-mounted HoloLens displays use augmented reality, which means viewers can see virtual imagery superimposed over the scenery in front of them.
A letter signed by more than 50 Microsoft employees and circulated on an internal messaging board said the technology could help soldiers spot - and kill - adversaries on the battlefield.
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Update #1: Microsoft employees slam $480M HoloLens military contract, refuse to create tech for 'warfare and oppression (FOX News)
Update #2: Microsoft workers protest: 'Cancel US Army HoloLens super-soldier contract' (ZDNet)
WNU Editor: Out of a workforce that is over 100,000, only a few hundred have made their opposition known. But the CEO is defending this partnership .... Microsoft CEO Defends Army Contract for Augmented Reality (Wired). More here .... Microsoft CEO defends $479 million contract with Pentagon after employee protest (The Hill). Microsoft also wants the Pentagon's Cloud business .... There's a new snag for Amazon in the winner-take-all $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract, and it could be good news for Microsoft (Business Insider). As to what is my take. This technology is no longer in the developmental phase .... it is now being marketed and sold to interested buyers. Its impact on military operations will be significant and helpful. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella justification and defense of the deal is 100% right.
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