University of Kentucky Grants Humanist Employee an AI Exemption

A University of Kentucky administrator secured a religious accommodation allowing him to abstain from using AI at work, according to TechCrunch. David Durman, a nontheistic Humanist, said using AI conflicts with his beliefs about critical thinking, human creativity and human well being.

Durman contacted the American Humanist Association while examining legal protections against required AI use. The organization said he is the first Humanist known to have secured this type of workplace accommodation.

The university reviews religious accommodation requests individually based on job duties and the circumstances of each request. It determined that Durman could continue performing the essential functions of his administrative role without AI, but said the arrangement may be reviewed as technology and job responsibilities change. Durman does not currently have to use AI in his role supporting researchers who apply for grants.