David Durman, a research administrator at the University of Kentucky, secured a Title VII religious accommodation after arguing that using artificial intelligence tools violates his humanist beliefs. Durman stated that the process of thinking through situations and ethics is crucial for developing a moral person, and that offloading this labor to large language models undercuts his ability to be a moral actor. The American Humanist Association (AHA) assisted Durman with the request, noting that for the organization, "humanism is a comprehensive way of life.
It’s built on inherent worth and dignity, and everyone should have room to exercise this comprehensive way of life at work the same way Christians do, or Muslims do." Federal courts have ruled that humanism qualifies as a religion, allowing Durman to seek the exemption under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. University of Kentucky spokesperson Jay Blanton confirmed that the institution reviewed the request on an individual basis and determined that an accommodation could be provided while allowing Durman to perform the essential functions of his position.
While Durman is no longer required to use AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot for his tasks, he remains expected to attend meetings and cooperate with colleagues who use AI or submit materials to AI tools as needed. The AHA staff attorney, Alexandria Huiskens, stated that Durman is the first Humanist to secure such a workplace accommodation, and one of the first to publicly discuss the pursuit of these protections. Durman noted that his goal was to encourage others with similar concerns to pursue resolutions where they feel is most appropriate.
