Hello,

Microsoft praises its AI products with the claim that they will lead to a greener, healthier planet.¹ Yet, a new investigation by The Atlantic has just exposed how Microsoft has been working with oil and gas companies for years, and is now promoting its generative AI as a tool to expand and accelerate fossil fuel extraction.²

Other AI companies, like Google, have already committed to stop making AI tools for the fossil fuel industry.³ Microsoft, however, is not yet willing to ditch big oil’s money, hoping to get away with its hypocrisy.

But the company’s own employees have had enough: Members of Microsoft’s sustainability group have called on leadership to follow Google’s lead, and it’s clear that there is significant pressure from within the company itself.⁴ If the Mozilla community supports the Microsoft employees with a public campaign now, we may be able to get the company to act. Will you join us?

Sign the petition urging Microsoft to stop using AI to scale-up fossil fuel extraction. Together, we can call on the company to end the development of custom AI tools that destroy our planet.

These partnerships directly undermine Microsoft’s public commitments to sustainability. Despite positioning itself publicly as a leader in clean energy, Microsoft is working behind the scenes to supercharge fossil fuel extraction. According to The Atlantic, AI models developed by Microsoft are used to predict new drilling sites and optimise extraction methods, enabling oil companies to squeeze out even more fossil fuels – endangering our air, water, climate and ultimately the lives of people worldwide.

AI could be used to help address the challenges posed by climate change. But instead, Microsoft has chosen profits over people – prioritising its lucrative contracts with polluters over the health of our planet.

That’s why Mozilla is supporting the call of the current and former Microsoft employees who have called for the end of these partnerships with fossil fuel corporations.⁵Today we’re asking you to join them.

Add your name to this petition now to urge Microsoft to stop using AI tools to help oil and gas giants extract more fossil fuels.

Thank you for everything that you do for the internet and to hold big tech companies accountable.

Christian Bock
Head of Supporter Engagement
Mozilla

More information:

1. Microsoft Unlocked: Let’s put AI to work for the planet.

2. The Atlantic: Microsoft’s Hypocrisy on AI. 13 September 2024.

3. CNBC: Google plans to stop making A.I. tools for oil and gas firms. 21 May 2020.

4. As You Sow: Microsoft Corp: Report on the Risks of Producing AI Technology for Fossil Fuel Production Processes. 28 June 2024.

5. Grist: Microsoft employees spent years fighting the tech giant’s oil ties. Now, they’re speaking out. 8 May 2024.