Humanist Secures Workplace Accommodations from Personal AI Use on the Basis of His Beliefs
The University of Kentucky granted a research administrator an individual exemption from personally using AI at work.
TL;DR
- The University of Kentucky granted David Durman an accommodation concerning personal AI use.
- The American Humanist Association assisted with his request based on his beliefs.
- The accommodation does not exempt him from working with colleagues who use AI.
The American Humanist Association said on 2026-10-26 that David Durman, a research administrator at the University of Kentucky, had obtained an accommodation excusing him from personally using AI in his work. Religion News Service separately interviewed Durman about the decision. [1] [2]
Durman said that outsourcing his thinking and decisions to AI would conflict with his humanist beliefs. The association helped him request an accommodation based on those beliefs. [1] [2]
According to the association, the university approved the request on September 25 after finding no undue burden on his department. Religion News Service reported that the written decision still expects Durman to cooperate with colleagues and participate in meetings involving AI. [1] [2]
The association described the decision as a religious accommodation under Title VII. This is an individual workplace decision; the reporting does not establish a general right for every employee to refuse AI use. [1] [2]
Why it matters
As employers introduce AI into workflows, individual accommodations show how adoption can intersect with workplace and religious policy. The decision’s application elsewhere depends on the facts of each case.
Editor's note
The association assisted Durman and is an interested party; Religion News Service conducted its own interview and reported the university letter. The claim that this was a first is an association belief, not independently established.