AI in the Classroom: New Teaching Rules for Students

Students at the Hebrew University Business School face a new standard for using artificial intelligence in their coursework. The shift places the burden on learners to demonstrate their own understanding while utilizing digital tools. This approach changes how academic work is evaluated in the coming semesters. It reflects a broader trend in higher education to adapt to rapid technological changes. The focus remains on ensuring that human intellect drives the final outcome.

Prof. Claudia V. Goldman serves as an associate professor in the Data Science Department. She has held this position since July 2024. Her background blends academic rigor with significant industry experience. This combination shapes her current teaching methods. She aims to prepare students for a workforce where AI is a standard tool.

Goldman has a clear policy regarding AI use. She tells students exactly when and why they can apply these tools. Students must credit the technology in their work. They are required to explain how the AI contributed to their answers. Fully generated responses are not accepted. Goldman notes that students are aware she can detect AI usage. She encourages brainstorming with the technology but demands critical thinking. Students must check for bias and verify that cited sources exist.

Evaluation methods have shifted to support this new standard. Goldman assesses understanding through in-person interactions. Classwork, presentations, and peer-organized activities are key components. These formats allow her to gauge individual knowledge directly. The curriculum also includes discussions on human values. The goal is to define what kind of professional and person students should become. This holistic view goes beyond technical skills.

Goldman’s perspective on AI in the workforce is nuanced. She responded to the idea of reserving certain jobs exclusively for humans. She argues that the issue is not a simple binary choice. Instead, it involves understanding the benefits AI brings to different roles. Critical skills are needed to strengthen human contributions in these contexts. Her view emphasizes collaboration between human insight and machine efficiency.

The Business School offers specific courses in this field. Subjects include AI for Social Good and Responsible AI. There is also a course on how AI meets humans and society. The university supports broader community learning through a Free Listener Program. This allows senior citizens to audit courses. The fall semester is currently beginning. These initiatives reflect a commitment to accessible and relevant education.

Goldman’s career path includes both academia and industry. She holds three degrees from the Hebrew University. Her doctoral work was supervised by Prof. Jeff Rosenschein. She held research posts at several institutions between 1999 and 2005. These included Bar-Ilan University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She then moved into the private sector. She led a team at Samsung Telecom Research for three years. She spent 15 years as a research scientist at General Motors. Her work there focused on learning agents for vehicle user experiences. She holds 24 patents and has published more than 50 papers.

Goldman was born in Argentina and moved to Israel in January 1984. She was 16 years old at the time. Her family made aliyah after her father expressed a strong desire to leave. She told her father that Israel was the only place she could see herself growing up. She attended a Jewish school in Buenos Aires before the move. Her grandparents had arrived in Argentina before the Holocaust. She is the only child of her parents. She met her husband, Prof. Roy Shenhar, on the university campus in 1995. They married in 1999. Their story began with a chance encounter that led to a shared treat.