Humanist Wins First Workplace AI Exemption, Highlighting Secular Beliefs
A University of Kentucky administrator becomes the first Humanist to secure a legal exemption from using AI at work.
Humanist Secures AI Exemption at University of Kentucky
David Durman, a nontheistic Humanist and administrator at the University of Kentucky, has become the first Humanist to receive a workplace accommodation that exempts him from using artificial‑intelligence tools.
Durman explained to TechCrunch that Humanism “is a collection of beliefs about the human experience and how humans interact with the world,” emphasizing “human well‑being and flourishing, both individually and collectively.” He argued that reliance on AI undermines the active application of the mind, which he says is essential for moral agency.
Seeking protection, Durman turned to the American Humanist Association (AHA), a nonprofit that promotes secular humanism. In a statement released by the AHA, he wrote that “AI is interfering with people’s ability to earn a living, the environmental costs spell disaster for humanity and our planet, and its supplanting and theft of human creativity threaten elements of our culture like art and literature that make society flourish.”
Legal Grounds and Broader Implications
Alexandria Huiskens, staff attorney at the AHA, told TechCrunch that concerns about AI and human dignity appear across many traditions, including Catholic teachings, Universalism, and Humanism. She stressed that “Humanists or nontheists … are also protected by the law at work.”
Durman’s case follows a similar accommodation secured by Erin Maus, a Unitarian Universalist software engineer, who also obtained an exemption from AI use.
“For me, this was about me and my convictions,” Durman said. I am obviously not trying to tell people how to think or feel… But I do hope that it encourages people who have similar concerns to pursue … the most appropriate resolution.
University Response
University of Kentucky spokesperson Jay Blanton confirmed that the institution reviews accommodation requests individually, weighing job responsibilities and the specifics of each case. In this case, the university determined that an accommodation could be provided while allowing the employee to continue performing the essential functions of his position, Blanton said. He added that accommodations will be revisited as technology and job duties evolve.
Durman’s administrative role, which supports researchers applying for grants, does not currently require AI tools. Nevertheless, he sought the exemption preemptively, noting that colleagues and leadership have encouraged AI adoption and that future mandates could arise.
Looking Ahead
Durman hopes his experience will inspire others with comparable concerns to seek accommodations, whether framed as religious or secular exemptions. “I hope that if [others] have similar feelings, that they feel encouraged to pursue some kind of resolution,” he said.
The case underscores a growing dialogue about how emerging technologies intersect with personal belief systems and legal protections in the workplace.
