University of Kentucky Employee Wins a Title VII Religious Exemption From Using the School's Required AI Tools
David Durman, a self-described humanist, says letting AI do his thinking would harm his moral development. The American Humanist Association called it a first for the group. Breitbart adds commentary from the Christian right.
A research administrator at the University of Kentucky has won a legal exemption from his employer's push to use AI tools, on the grounds that doing so would violate his humanist beliefs, Breitbart reports, citing Tom's Hardware and Religion News Service.
The case. David Durman identifies as a humanist. The university had asked employees to use tools including ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Durman sought and received a Title VII religious accommodation. "The process and work involved in thinking through situations, through my work, through my ethics, through the way I handle other people, is a key component in being able to develop myself as a moral person," he told Religion News Service. He said offloading that work "is undercutting my ability to be a moral actor."
The law. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars job discrimination based on religion, among other things. Breitbart says federal courts have previously treated humanism as a religion for legal purposes. To qualify, a worker must show the belief is a deep moral conviction that works like an article of faith, and the accommodation cannot cause the employer "undue hardship."
The limits. Durman still attends meetings and works alongside colleagues who use AI, and may have to submit materials to AI systems when a job requires it. He is only excused from running the software himself.
The group's view. American Humanist Association staff attorney Alexandria Huiskens said the case is "the first of its kind at the AHA and for humanism generally." She said humanists should have the same room at work as Christians or Muslims.
Breitbart's angle. The article goes on to argue that Durman's secular humanism sits closer to Silicon Valley's beliefs than to traditional Christianity, drawing on the book Code Red by Wynton Hall. That is the outlet's commentary, not part of the original reporting.
What to keep in mind. We did not read the Tom's Hardware or RNS pieces, and no university comment is included in the Breitbart version.