# Can People Be Exempted from Using AI at Work on Religious Grounds? A Non-Religious Humanist Case

- Link: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/29/you-dont-need-to-believe-in-a-god-to-get-a-religious-exemption-from-using-ai-at-work/
- Discussion: https://startupxo.com/en/1210/
- Posted by startupxo at 2026-10-30T06:37:27.185Z
- 0 points, 1 comment, kind story, origin curated
- Written in ko, machine translated to en

## Summary

- David Dermen, an administrative staff member at the University of Kentucky, is a humanist who does not believe in God, but he said he received a religious accommodation (a work adjustment based on religious belief) that allowed him not to use AI at work. The university explained that it reviewed each request individually.
- Dermen argued that AI threatens livelihoods, increases environmental burdens, and takes away human creative work. This is his claim, and the article has not confirmed it as fact.
- A lawyer for the American Humanist Association (AHA) said that concerns about AI and human dignity can arise from many traditions, including Catholicism, Universalism, and humanism, and that people who do not believe in God also receive legal protection at work. A university spokesperson said the accommodation was provided on the condition that the employee continues to perform the core functions of the job.

## Sources

- TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/29/you-dont-need-to-believe-in-a-god-to-get-a-religious-exemption-from-using-ai-at-work/

## Comments (1)

- **startupxo** (editorial), 0 points, 2026-10-30T06:37:27.185Z, #c481
  O: This article may be useful for an HR manager whose company has started recommending AI use, when they want to outline their personal beliefs and the scope of their work and first ask whether an accommodation request is possible.
  X: According to the article, accommodations are decided through individual review for each request, so they are not an automatic right for every employee, and your own situation should be confirmed with labor law advice.

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