Professors bring AI tools into business school curriculum with clear rules

Students enrolled in data science programs at the Hebrew University Business School now have explicit guidelines on how to integrate artificial intelligence into their coursework. The department aims to prepare graduates for a job market where these tools are standard, ensuring that new hires can navigate the technology with confidence and critical thinking.

The shift in educational strategy is led by Prof. Claudia V. Goldman, who has held an associate professorship in the Data Science Department since July 2024. Her academic background includes a BSc, MSc, and PhD in computer science from the Hebrew University, completed between 1991 and 1999. Before joining the faculty, she spent 15 years as a research scientist in General Motors' research and development division and three years as a team leader at Samsung Telecom Research.

Goldman has built a substantial professional record during her tenure in industry and academia. She holds 24 patents and has published more than 50 academic papers. Her previous research positions were held at the University of Haifa, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Bar-Ilan University between 1999 and 2005. This experience informs her current focus on using AI to solve practical problems rather than theoretical ones.

In her classes, Goldman establishes clear boundaries for technology use. She tells students exactly when and why they may rely on AI tools. A key requirement is that students must credit the technology and explain their specific usage methods. She does not accept answers that are fully generated by AI and notes that she can detect such content. Instead, she encourages students to use AI for brainstorming while maintaining a critical perspective on the output.

To assess understanding, the professor uses a mix of classwork, presentations, and peer-organized discussions. These in-person activities allow her to evaluate how well students grasp the material beyond written submissions. The curriculum also addresses human responsibility and professional values, discussing what kind of researchers and professionals students should strive to become.

The Business School supports this focus with specific courses such as AI for Social Good, Responsible AI, and When AI Meets Humans and Society. The institution also offers a Free Listener Program for senior citizens, which is currently accepting participants for the fall semester. Goldman addresses broader industry debates, such as Bill Gates' suggestion of a Human Reserved concept, by arguing that the focus should be on understanding the specific benefits AI brings to different roles.

Goldman's personal history reflects a long engagement with the technology sector. Born in Argentina, she moved to Israel in January 1984 at age 16. She completed high school at Mae Boyer High School in 1986 and served in the army before beginning her university studies. Her doctoral supervisor was Prof. Jeff Rosenschein. She met her husband, Prof. Roy Shenhar, on the Givat Ram campus in 1995, and they married in 1999.

The professor's work at General Motors involved developing learning agents for vehicle user experiences. This technology was designed to help drivers stay focused on the road while better understanding autonomous driving functions. Her academic approach mirrors this industry focus, emphasizing the integration of AI into human workflows to enhance efficiency and comprehension.