Those working on Microsoft’s augmented reality headset, the Hololens, are petitioning against the tech giant, as they’ve become upsetted by the potential uses for the device. Last year, Microsoft and the United States Army signed a contract together, so that the technology within the Hololens could be used to create an Integrated Visual Augmentation System, which would “increase lethality by enhancing the ability to detect, decide and engage before the enemy”. The contract is worth about $479 million dollars, with Microsoft’s president Brad Smith defending it, stating, “We believe in the strong defense of the United States and we want the people who defend it to have access to the nation's best technology, including from Microsoft."

A group of employees at Microsoft did not share the same views. Called “Microsoft Workers 4 Good”, they addressed an open letter to the Chief Executive and President of the company on February 22nd, demanding that Microsoft dissolve the contract, enact new ethical guidelines, and prevent the Hololens project from being used to create weapons technology. Some of the workers expressed discontent knowing that they helped develop the technology used in the headset, only for the contract with the Army to be signed after they had worked on Hololens, without their knowledge. Some alleged that they believed their work would instead be going towards the health field, or for space exploration. A petition formed by the same group received over 100 signatures in the first day.

Microsoft has not given an official response at this time, only saying that they “appreciate feedback from employees”.

Source

 

[Dr.Hacknik]

I think nobody considers that the US military does no wrong, well... it does some good also perhaps by mistake. But I think a characteristic of people these days is conformism, avoid any real fight with the establishment and disguise it creating all this SJW parades that are not really involving and just pretending.

What was it again? Ah... yeah, there's this "nobody has principles, don't fight the establishment, stop pretending" kind of attitude, but at the same time society also tells you you are expected to "pretend you care and involve yourself", the world is so fake it is sad.

I just hope we can all agree that the people who participate in the defense of our nation and many others are putting their lives on the line to protect people. This is only a measure to improve their job. It's just that SJWs have to hop onto the shit train and ruin everything. Like saying all cops are bad, or in this instance; Why you give hololense to military reeeeee

 

[Ratatattat]

Part of the discussion is what drives one to not follow their moral values. I would fully agree with the moral views expressed by the employee group. But unfortunately its not always cut and dried as to how to react to those morals.

 

[huma_dawii]

We haven't been at war for Ages, what the hell... Govermement shoudnt be spending money on an army that the only thing they do is to stick their noses where nobody calls them.

 

[brunocar]

Isn't that what Call of Duty is for... to condition you to kill little brown people?

i swear, one day i will make a compilation book of all the stupid shit you've said on this site and make a ton of money out of it.

also, COD hasnt had you fighting brown people since black ops 3 and even then the brown people were being fought by other brown people you were allies with.

 

[Ratatattat]

We haven't been at war for Ages, what the hell... Govermement shoudnt be spending money on an army that the only thing they do is to stick their noses where nobody calls them.

Where have you been?

 

[XDel]

i swear, one day i will make a compilation book of all the stupid shit you've said on this site and make a ton of money out of it.

also, COD hasnt had you fighting brown people since black ops 3 and even then the brown people were being fought by other brown people you were allies with.

If you do, I want a cut!

 

[huma_dawii]

Where have you been?

I dont remember war in the US... As far as I know the army is always somewhere outside the US fighting other pepoplep fights.. and not just because... Whavteve.

 

[depaul]

Those big companies... they never listen to their employees. Their decision is solely made by corporate staff (CFO, CEO...) and highly influencing people (politicians,...). They treat their emloyees like rats and don't give a damn about what they think.

Maybe they will listen if the issue is brought to newspaper, civil society, NGO... etc.

Anyway in my opinion MS is simply building a weapon for US army which is completely legal I believe.

 

[pedro702]

i wondered where hololens went, after that presentation with minecraft we never saw anything again, i guess they were busy with making military applications with it xD.

 

[JavaScribe]

This does sound oddly like a sci-fi plot. (Albeit one with a limited storywriting budget.)
War is hardly an ethical thing. If we (and everyone else) did the ethical thing, we'd sit down and talk, and there would be no war.
Most often, nations don't fight wars fairly. They fight them to win.
Of course, now that we have nukes, "the only winning move is not to play," so...

 

[freakzilla5]

I just hope we can all agree that the people who participate in the defense of our nation and many others are putting their lives on the line to protect people. This is only a measure to improve their job. It's just that SJWs have to hop onto the shit train and ruin everything. Like saying all cops are bad, or in this instance; Why you give hololense to military reeeeee

You're an idiot

 

[SuzieJoeBob]

Part of the discussion is what drives one to not follow their moral values. I would fully agree with the moral views expressed by the employee group. But unfortunately its not always cut and dried as to how to react to those morals.

Most of the employees working for Microsoft in Silicon Valley are H1-B imports that have no morals to begin with, selling their bodies as imported goods for tech firms, so...

 

[brunocar]

If you do, I want a cut!

of course, im not a thief

 

[ClickCLK]

This reminds me of Horizon Zero dawn plot

 

[kuwanger]

Anyway I don't think the petition from the "4 Good Microsoft workers" will have any consequence.

I think it may have a few consequences. It'll reveal that Microsoft == US military contractor, designing something out of Terminator (recently watched T2 again). It'll also show how committed Microsoft is to a $479 million dollar contract vs keeping their employees happy. It also shows how much Microsoft has faith that Hololens won't be, at least short term, viable as a consumer product. I mean, now that this is out, do you want to buy a Hololens and shoot enemies in games "just like the US military"? Whether there is any sharing of tech, that's going to be basically the thought in peoples minds. Finally, this gives employees a chance to know that, yea, they are no longer working at a company that ruthlessly kills not only company but also now also helps kill people; some people might have some ethical qualms about the latter.

 

[lincruste]

Wow, I almost cared.
So what. If it helps improve our defense then sure.

Yeah, well, if US defense relies on MS technology, get ready to speak korean soon.

 

[gamesquest1]

imagine getting a BSOD in the middle of a firefight,

honestly though think of it this way, would you prefer the soldiers/police etc to have more or less information when going into a fight, what if this helped solders see that the guy approaching them is holding a banana and not a gun, i feel people often sit on the sidelines playing hindsight police "omg how could they shoot that poor guy who was simply walking along carrying an RPG sized piece of pipe on his shoulder to fix the towns well, it was a damn pipe those monsters", any tech that can help identify access situations more reliably than the human eye is a good thing and is what these people should be advocating for not against

that's not to mention the whole idea of self crippling for moral ethicacy, knowing full well that other countries will not have these same limitations forced upon them by themselves, its compete or or be defeated, running into a war zone with sticks might be more morally ethical than guns, but you would end up mincemeat in no time

 

[sarkwalvein]

Yeah, well, if US defense relies on MS technology, get ready to speak korean soon.

I'm worried for that poor fighter pilot getting a BSoD on their HUD in the middle of a dogfight.

PS: ninjas are swift on the temps.

 

[jahrs]

i got a small list of things why this wont/doesnt matter.

1.Its microsoft a multi-million dollar company and those who work for it arent given a choice like in most companies what or where theyre skills are used. They are paid to basically be a Cog in a system.

2.Because of the above, theyre opinions dont really matter and theyll most likely be ignored and told to work or fired for not working.

3. No its not fair from our view point but they signed the contract and im sure its in there somewhere and they were paid for their work. So if they really have an issue with it then they should give back the money they were paid for their work. That would be a real petition.

4.This is no different then any other technology that has the potential. Trying to prevent the use of a technology from being used a specific way by everyone/anyone is impractical,impossible, and stupid.

5.Because MS is a company and the Product is theres to use as they please and theyd rather be smart and be on the better side of the US Army by signing this contract which is a smart decision by a company gain profits and good standings with a powerful ally finding a good argument against it that is from a corporations point of review.

6.And Finally regardless as to if the protest succeeds. It wont matter anyways because the US Army has alot of money so if the company says no they can just buy a bunch any way and the programing can be done by other people.

But in the end i dont care because i just want my mixed reality headset so i can play games that bring things into the real world. while still letting me see the coffee table im no doubt gonna smash my knees/shins into

 

[Benja81]

Keyword is 'defense' of the US. As long as we aren't some neo-Roman empire taking over helpless countries with this technology, then whats the problem? Do those employees think 1)MS would not have been able to make this without them or 2)They would have been able to make it without MS? The answer obv is MS would have still been able to make it without them but they would likely not have been able to make it without MS. If they feel misled about its purpose by MS as the article states, then I suppose that's no good. MS should be upfront and allow workers who are OK with it to work on the project only; but its also possible MS didn't even know for sure. Aka whoever gives the highest price for it.