David Darman, an administrator at the University of Kentucky, has been granted an exemption from using artificial intelligence tools in his professional duties. The university approved his request in September 2026, citing religious accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Darman, supported by the American Humanist Association, argued that delegating tasks to chatbots conflicts with his humanist beliefs. He maintains that independent moral reasoning and personal interaction are essential to his professional development and ethical responsibilities.
The American Humanist Association noted that this is the first known instance of a humanist receiving such an exemption. Legal counsel Alexandria Huyskens emphasized that humanism is recognized as a belief system under U.S. law, granting its followers the same workplace protections as those of traditional religions.
This case follows a similar precedent set in the summer of 2026, when software engineer Erin Maus from North Carolina secured an exemption from using AI tools. Maus, who practices Unitarian Universalism, cited ethical and environmental concerns as the basis for her refusal to utilize automated systems.
