Kentucky Employee Gets Religious Exemption From Using AI at Work
Summary
The University of Kentucky approved a religious accommodation allowing research administrator David Durman to avoid personally using generative AI for his work. Durman, a humanist, said he sought the exemption because he believes using generative AI can weaken human reasoning and conflicts with his beliefs about human well-being.Key Facts
- The university approved Durman's request on September 25 after determining it would not create an undue burden for his department, according to the American Humanist Association.
- Durman edits grant applications and handles compliance work at the University of Kentucky.
- He sought the accommodation preemptively because he was concerned that AI use might eventually become mandatory.
- The accommodation does not exempt him from meetings about AI, working with colleagues who use it, or submitting materials through websites that use it.
- Durman said his objection focuses on generative AI and large language models, not every technology described as artificial intelligence.
- The American Humanist Association said the case is the first known workplace AI accommodation granted to a humanist.
- A North Carolina software engineer received an accommodation from using AI in May after raising religious, environmental, and ethical objections, according to Business Insider.
- The university's CATS AI framework aims to expand access to AI tools and AI literacy across education, research, health care, and operations.
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