Hebrew University professor caps AI use at 24 patents of rigor

Prof. Claudia V. Goldman has established a strict boundary for artificial intelligence in her data science classes at the Hebrew University Business School in Jerusalem. Since taking up her associate professor post in July 2024, she has prohibited the submission of fully AI-generated answers, requiring students to demonstrate active engagement with the material instead.

Goldman, who holds 24 patents and has published more than 50 academic papers, stated that students must credit AI tools and explain their usage. She told students she can detect AI in their writing, creating a high-stakes environment where passive reliance on software is not an option. The goal is to force students to remain critical while brainstorming with the technology.

In her office interview, Goldman detailed the specific tasks students must perform when using AI. They are required to check for bias in the generated information and verify that cited sources actually exist. This process ensures that the human mind remains the primary driver of the analytical work, rather than a tool that produces text automatically.

To assess student understanding beyond written submissions, Goldman utilizes a mix of classwork, presentations, and peer-organized activities. These in-person interactions allow her to evaluate how well students grasp the concepts and discuss human responsibility and values. The curriculum explicitly covers what kind of researcher or professional students should aim to become in an AI-driven world.

Goldman’s background in both academia and industry informs her teaching methods. She served as a research scientist for 15 years in General Motors' research and development organization in Herzliya. Before that, she worked as a team leader at Samsung Telecom Research for three years. Her doctoral work at Hebrew University was supervised by Prof. Jeff Rosenschein, a recognized scholar in the field.

Addressing the debate on AI's role in the workforce, Goldman rejected the idea of a simple binary where certain jobs are reserved exclusively for humans. She referenced Bill Gates's 'Human Reserved' concept but argued that the focus should be on understanding the benefits AI brings to different roles. She emphasized the critical skills needed to strengthen human performance in various professional contexts.

The Business School currently offers courses that align with this pedagogical approach, including AI for Social Good, Responsible AI, and When AI Meets Humans and Society. As the fall semester begins, these courses are available to regular students as well as participants in the Hebrew University's Free Listener Program, which allows senior citizens to audit classes.

Goldman’s career path reflects a long-term engagement with technology and data. Born in Argentina, she moved to Israel in January 1984 at age 16. She earned her BSc, MSc, and PhD in computer science from Hebrew University between 1991 and 1999. Her early research posts included positions at Bar-Ilan University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Haifa.

Her personal history is intertwined with her professional life in Jerusalem. She met her husband, Prof. Roy Shenhar, a full professor at the Institute of Chemistry, on the Givat Ram campus stairs in 1995. They married in 1999. Goldman’s father had long wanted to leave Argentina, and her decision to make aliyah in 1983 was based on her statement that Israel was the only place she could see herself growing up.