David Durman, a University of Kentucky administrator and nontheistic Humanist, has recently secured a religious exemption from using artificial intelligence in the workplace. Durman sought legal protections through the American Humanist Association because he believes that relying on AI runs counter to his moral framework, arguing that the technology diminishes critical thinking, carries severe environmental costs, and threatens human creativity.
Humanism is a secular philosophy centered on human well-being and flourishing, appealing to individuals skeptical of supernatural powers yet seeking a moral framework. Durman is believed to be the first Humanist to successfully secure workplace accommodations allowing him to abstain from AI use, following a similar recent exemption obtained by software engineer Erin Maus. The University of Kentucky stated that it reviews accommodation requests individually and determined that Durman could perform his essential job functions without using AI tools.
Durman’s administrative role supporting grant applicants does not currently require AI use, but he pursued the exemption proactively in case recommendations to use the technology become mandatory. While not intending to dictate how others think, Durman hopes his case encourages individuals with similar concerns to pursue appropriate resolutions. Alexandria Huiskens, a staff attorney at the American Humanist Association, emphasized that concerns regarding human dignity and AI extend across multiple faiths and traditions and are protected by workplace law.
Why it matters: This case establishes a legal precedent for secular humanists seeking workplace exemptions from artificial intelligence based on moral and philosophical convictions.