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University of Kentucky grants employee exemption from AI use on humanist grounds

David Durman, a 45-year-old research administrator at the University of Kentucky, secured a religious accommodation excusing him from the university's push for staff to adopt AI tools. Durman, who identifies as a humanist, argued that offloading his thinking to a chatbot would undermine his moral agency, and filed his request under Title VII with support from the American Humanist Association. The university granted the exemption, reportedly in part because his role doesn't require AI to function.

techspot.com · 2026-10-30

University of Kentucky administrator wins religious exemption from AI use citing Humanist beliefs

David Durman, an administrator at the University of Kentucky and a nontheistic Humanist, obtained a workplace exemption from using AI by invoking religious protections through the American Humanist Association. Durman argues AI use conflicts with Humanist principles centered on human flourishing, critical thinking, and moral agency. In a statement published by the AHA, he cited AI's effects on jobs, the environment, and creative culture as reasons for his objection.

techcrunch.com · 2026-10-30