Hebrew University Professor Defines AI Rules for Students

The fall semester at the Hebrew University Business School has just begun, bringing with it a new set of expectations for how students interact with emerging technologies. Professor Claudia V. Goldman, who has served as an associate professor in the Data Science Department since July 2024, has established a specific framework for the use of artificial intelligence in her classroom. Her approach challenges the common debate over whether AI should be banned or embraced, opting instead for a model of regulated integration.

Goldman, who was born in Argentina and moved to Israel in 1984, states that her primary objective is to leverage AI for solving practical, real-world issues. She holds three degrees from the Hebrew University, including a PhD in computer science completed in 1999. Her academic career has been extensive, with research posts at Bar-Ilan University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Haifa. Before returning to academia, she spent nearly two decades in industry, working as a team leader at Samsung Telecom Research and as a research scientist at General Motors for 15 years.

In a recent interview, Goldman detailed her pedagogical strategy. She does not prohibit AI tools but requires students to be transparent about their usage. Students must credit the technology and provide a clear explanation of how it was employed in their work. According to Goldman, fully AI-generated answers are not accepted. She notes that students are aware of her ability to detect AI-generated text, which encourages them to use the tools for brainstorming rather than final drafting.

The method emphasizes critical thinking. Goldman urges students to remain skeptical of AI outputs, checking for potential biases and verifying the existence of cited sources. This process is designed to ensure that students retain ownership of their intellectual work. She evaluates understanding through a combination of in-person activities, including classwork, presentations, and peer-organized discussions. These formats allow her to assess student comprehension directly, reducing reliance on written assignments that might be heavily assisted by algorithms.

Beyond technical skills, the curriculum addresses the broader implications of AI. The course discusses human responsibility, values, and the kind of professionals and individuals society needs. The Business School offers related courses such as AI for Social Good, Responsible AI, and When AI Meets Humans and Society. Additionally, the university runs a Free Listener Program that allows senior citizens to audit these courses, a feature that is currently active for the new semester.

Goldman also weighed in on the concept of a Human Reserved, a proposal by Bill Gates to set aside certain jobs for humans. She argued that the issue is not a simple binary choice of which professions remain human. Instead, she believes the focus should be on understanding the benefits AI brings to different roles and identifying the critical skills necessary to strengthen those roles. Her perspective suggests a shift from protectionism to adaptation.

Her professional background includes work on learning agents for vehicle user experiences at General Motors. This project aimed to help drivers stay focused on the road while better understanding autonomous driving functions. She holds 24 patents and has published more than 50 academic papers, reflecting a career that bridges theoretical research and practical application.

Goldman’s journey to Israel began in 1983 when she told her father that she could only see herself growing up there. Her family made aliyah six months later. She met her husband, Professor Roy Shenhar, on the Hebrew University campus in 1995. They married in 1999, completing a personal narrative that mirrors her professional path from Buenos Aires to Jerusalem.