Microsoft workers call for cancelling military contract for technology that could turn warfare into a "video game"

Employees at Microsoft on Friday demanded the company cancel a contract to supply its augmented-reality headsets to the U.S. Army, warning in a letter that putting HoloLens in the military's hands could "help people kill." Writing to chief executive Satya Nadella, more than 50 workers said the devices would be "turning warfare into a simulated'video game.'" They also urged Microsoft, which won the $480 million contract in November, to "cease developing any and all weapons technologies" for the government. "As employees and shareholders we do not want to become war profiteers," the letter concluded. "To that end, we believe that Microsoft must stop in its activities to empower the U.S. Army's ability to cause harm and violence."