FreeLLMYou don't need to believe in a god to get a religious exemption from using AI at work
David Durman, a University of Kentucky administrator, receives a religious accommodation to abstain from AI tools at work.
David Durman, a nontheistic Humanist at the University of Kentucky, obtained a religious exemption that allows him to avoid using artificial intelligence in his job.
Durman approached the American Humanist Association (AHA) to explore legal protections, arguing that AI use conflicts with his belief in human‑centered moral agency.
The AHA filed a statement citing concerns about AI’s impact on livelihoods, the environment, and cultural creativity, and the university approved the accommodation after reviewing his role and responsibilities.
University spokesperson Jay Blanton said the exemption was granted while still enabling Durman to perform essential functions, and noted that accommodations will be revisited as technology and duties evolve.
Durman’s case follows a similar exemption secured by software engineer Erin Maus, highlighting a growing trend of employees seeking religious or belief‑based accommodations for AI use.
What it means for you
The decision shows that belief‑based objections to AI can be recognized under workplace accommodation laws, giving employees a path to opt out of AI tools. It also signals to developers of free and local models that demand for non‑AI‑dependent workflows may increase, encouraging alternatives that respect such exemptions.
Sources
- You don't need to believe in a god to get a religious exemption from using AI at work, TechCrunch, 30 Oct 2026
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