AI Expert Claudia Goldman Redefines Academic Integrity Standards

Students in data science programs are facing stricter rules for using artificial intelligence in their coursework. The shift aims to ensure that learners understand the technology deeply rather than relying on it to generate final answers. This change impacts how assignments are graded and how students must document their thought processes.

Prof. Claudia V. Goldman, an associate professor at the Hebrew University Business School, leads this initiative. She joined the faculty in July 2024 to focus on applying AI to real-world challenges. Her teaching style requires students to be transparent about their use of digital tools. Goldman explicitly tells students when AI is permitted and demands that they credit the technology in their work. Students must also explain the specific steps they took while using the tools. Submissions that appear fully generated by AI are rejected. Goldman states that she can detect AI-generated writing, which keeps students accountable. Instead of banning the technology, she encourages students to use it for brainstorming while maintaining a critical eye. They must check for bias in the output and verify that cited sources actually exist.

Assessment methods have been adjusted to match these new standards. Goldman evaluates students through a combination of classwork, presentations, and peer-led activities. These in-person interactions allow her to gauge understanding directly. The curriculum also includes discussions on human responsibility and professional values. Students explore what kind of researchers and professionals they want to become in an age of automation. This holistic approach goes beyond technical skills to address the broader implications of working with AI.

Goldman’s background provides a unique perspective on the field. Born in Argentina, she moved to Israel in January 1984 at the age of 16. She completed high school in Jerusalem and served in the army before starting her higher education. She earned a BSc in computer science, mathematics, and electronics in 1991. She followed this with an MSc in computer science in 1993 and a PhD in the same field in 1999. Her doctoral work was supervised by the award-winning scholar Prof. Jeff Rosenschein. Her academic record is extensive, with more than 50 published papers and 24 patents to her name.

Her career has included significant industry experience before her return to academia. From 1999 to 2005, she held research positions at Bar-Ilan University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Haifa. She then moved into the private sector, serving as a team leader at Samsung Telecom Research in Herzliya for three years. For the next 15 years, she worked as a research scientist in General Motors' research and development organization, also based in Herzliya. At GM, she focused on integrating learning agents into vehicle user experiences. This work helped drivers stay focused on the road while better understanding autonomous driving features.

Goldman has weighed in on broader debates about the future of work. She addressed Bill Gates’s proposal for a 'Human Reserved' concept, which suggests setting aside certain jobs exclusively for people. Goldman argues that the issue is not a simple binary choice between human and machine roles. She believes the focus should be on understanding the specific benefits AI offers in various contexts. Identifying the critical skills needed to enhance human performance in those roles is key. This perspective influences the courses offered at the Business School, including AI for Social Good, Responsible AI, and When AI Meets Humans and Society.

The university continues to expand access to these educational opportunities. The Hebrew University runs a Free Listener Program that allows senior citizens to audit courses. With the fall semester beginning, these classes are in full swing. Goldman’s personal journey also highlights the diverse backgrounds of those in the field. She attended a Jewish school in Buenos Aires through seventh grade, studying in Yiddish, Hebrew, and Spanish. Her father had long desired to leave Argentina. In 1983, Goldman told him that Israel was the only place she saw her future. The family made aliyah six months later. She met her husband, Prof. Roy Shenhar, on the Givat Ram campus in 1995. They married in 1999 after he bought her ice cream following their third unexpected meeting, honoring a Hebrew custom.