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University of Kentucky grants humanist religious exemption from AI use at work

University of Kentucky grants humanist religious exemption from AI use at work

Rule Changes

A research administrator invoked Title VII, arguing that delegating thinking to AI conflicts with his Humanist beliefs.

3 days ago: TechCrunch details Durman's exemption

Overview

Updated 13 minutes ago

David Durman, a research administrator at the University of Kentucky, asked in August 2026 to be excused from using AI at work. He cited his Humanist beliefs, arguing that delegating thinking to tools like ChatGPT would undercut his ability to act as a moral person. On September 25, the university's Office of Equal Opportunity granted the request under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The American Humanist Association called it the first known workplace accommodation of its kind for a Humanist. The case tests how far religious-protection law reaches as employers push AI into daily work, and whether more workers can opt out without claiming a traditional faith.

Why it matters

If Title VII covers AI objections, employers may have to let individual workers opt out of mandatory AI use, complicating company-wide adoption.

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Key Indicators

1
First known Humanist AI exemption
The American Humanist Association says Durman's is the first such accommodation for a Humanist.
52%
U.S. employees using AI at work
Share who used AI at work at least a few times a year as of May 2026, per Gallup.
37%
Workers worried about falling behind
Share who feared falling behind colleagues if they did not use AI, per an APA survey.
48%
Workers fearing job obsolescence
Share who feared AI could make some or all of their job duties obsolete.

Voices

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People Involved

DD
David Durman
Research administrator at the University of Kentucky
Working under a Title VII accommodation granted September 25, 2026
EM
Erin Maus
Software engineer and Unitarian Universalist
Secured a religious exemption from AI use at her tech company in May 2026
AH
Alexandria Huiskens
Attorney working with the American Humanist Association
Represented Durman in his accommodation request

Organizations Involved

University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Public research university
Granted Durman's accommodation; says it may review as jobs evolve

The University of Kentucky is a public research university in Lexington.
American Humanist Association
American Humanist Association
Nonprofit advocacy group
Supported Durman's request and announced the accommodation

The American Humanist Association is a nonprofit that advances secular Humanism.

Timeline

June 2023 October 2026

7 events Latest: 3 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. TechCrunch details Durman's exemption

    Latest Coverage

    University says accommodations may be reviewed as technology and jobs evolve.

  2. American Humanist Association announces accommodation

    Statement

    Group calls it first humanist workplace accommodation from personal AI use.

  3. University approves Durman's AI exemption

    Accommodation

    Office finds no undue hardship; he still must attend AI-related meetings.

  4. University meets Durman and his attorney

    Legal

    Office of Equal Opportunity discusses sincerity of beliefs and job impact.

  5. Durman files Title VII accommodation request

    Legal

    He asks University of Kentucky to excuse him from personal AI use.

  6. Software engineer Erin Maus wins AI opt-out

    Accommodation

    Unitarian Universalist secured a religious exemption from AI use at her tech company.

  7. Supreme Court raises employer bar for religious accommodations

    Legal

    Groff v. DeJoy required employers to show substantial costs, not minor inconvenience.

Scenarios

1

More workers secure Title VII opt-outs from AI

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: American Humanist Association attorney Alexandria Huiskens; Fortune

The American Humanist Association and employment lawyers say Durman's case gives other workers a template. If more employees cite longstanding beliefs and avoid AI in personal life, employers may grant narrow opt-outs rather than fight.

2

Employer denies AI opt-out as undue hardship

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Employment lawyers cited by Fortune

Employers may argue that excusing workers from AI tools creates scheduling, workflow or customer-service costs. A denial would test how Groff's substantial-cost standard applies to AI adoption.

3

EEOC issues guidance on AI and religious accommodation

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Workplace policy analysts

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has not issued AI-specific religious accommodation guidance. A formal document would tell employers how to review sincerity and hardship claims.

4

Court rejects AI objection as personal preference

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Legal observers

Federal courts have treated Humanism as a religion in some cases. A ruling that AI opposition is a personal preference rather than a religious belief would limit these claims.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

June 2023

Groff v. DeJoy (2023)

The Supreme Court ruled that employers must show a religious accommodation would impose substantial increased costs, not just minor inconvenience, to deny it under Title VII.

Then

The ruling made it harder for employers to reject religious accommodation requests based on small burdens.

Now

It set the standard the University of Kentucky applied when it found Durman's exemption posed no undue hardship.

Why this matters now

Durman's case is one of the first tests of how Groff's higher bar applies to AI use in the workplace.

May 2026

Erin Maus AI exemption (2026)

A Unitarian Universalist software engineer secured a religious exemption from using AI at her tech company.

Then

Maus won a narrow opt-out while her employer continued using AI.

Now

Her case gave Durman a template and showed employers could grant individual exemptions without abandoning AI adoption.

Why this matters now

Durman was inspired by Maus's case, which helped establish the strategy of using Title VII for AI objections.

Sources

(4)
Tom's Hardware TechCrunch American Humanist Association Fortune