New AI rules for university data science

Universities worldwide are grappling with how to integrate artificial intelligence into core curricula without diluting academic rigor. In Jerusalem, a specific framework has been introduced to address this challenge within a data science program.

Prof. Claudia V. Goldman, an associate professor at the Hebrew University Business School, has established clear guidelines for student AI use. She has held this position since July 2024. Her approach moves away from banning the technology and instead focuses on structured engagement.

Goldman, who was born in Argentina and moved to Israel in 1984, holds 24 patents and has published more than 50 academic papers. Her background includes research roles at Bar-Ilan University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Haifa. She also spent 18 years in the private sector, including 15 years at General Motors research and development in Herzliya.

In her classrooms, students are told exactly when and why AI tools are permitted. Goldman requires them to credit the technology and explain its specific application in their work. She stated that fully AI-generated answers are not accepted. Students are aware that she can detect AI-generated text in their submissions.

The professor encourages students to use AI for brainstorming while maintaining a critical stance. This involves checking for bias in the information provided and verifying that cited sources actually exist. This method aims to teach students to question the output rather than accept it at face value.

Evaluation in these courses relies on a mix of classwork, presentations, and peer-organized activities. These in-person components allow Goldman to assess understanding directly. The curriculum also includes discussions on human responsibility, values, and the type of researcher or professional students should strive to become.

When discussing the concept of "Human Reserved" jobs, a suggestion previously made by Bill Gates, Goldman noted that the issue is not a simple binary choice. She argued that the focus should be on understanding the benefits AI brings to different roles and identifying the critical skills needed to strengthen those human capabilities.

The Business School currently offers courses such as AI for Social Good, Responsible AI, and When AI Meets Humans and Society. The institution also operates a Free Listener Program that allows senior citizens to audit courses. The fall semester is currently underway.

Goldman’s previous work at General Motors involved introducing learning agents into vehicle user experiences. The goal was to help drivers stay focused on the road while better understanding autonomous driving functions. This industry experience informs her current academic focus on practical AI applications.

Goldman met her husband, Prof. Roy Shenhar, a full professor at the Hebrew University's Institute of Chemistry, on the Givat Ram campus in 1995. They met on the stairs of the Ross Building. After their third unexpected encounter, he bought her ice cream in accordance with Hebrew custom. They married in 1999.