Kentucky Employee Gets Religious Exemption From Using AI at Work
A Kentucky employee received a religious exemption from using AI at work, citing his humanist beliefs.
A University of Kentucky employee has been granted a religious accommodation that allows him to opt-out of using artificial intelligence (AI) at work, due to his humanist beliefs. David Durman, a 45-year-old research administrator, requested the exemption before the university started encouraging AI use in workflows. He argued that AI could eventually become mandatory and that using it would conflict with his humanist values, which emphasize human well-being and individual responsibility.
The American Humanist Association (AHA) assisted Durman in preparing his request, which was approved on September 25 after the university determined it would not impose an undue burden on his department. Durman, a humanist for about 30 years, sees a distinction between generative AI and other AI tools, citing potential impacts on employment, the environment, and human creativity.
The accommodation does not exempt him from all AI-related activities at work, but he is relieved of personally using AI in his tasks. This case highlights the evolving nature of workplace religious protections as employers increasingly adopt AI technologies.
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