Jerusalem professor requires students to prove AI did not write their assignments

Professor Claudia Goldman faces a specific challenge in her data science classes: ensuring that artificial intelligence serves as a tool for learning rather than a replacement for it. Since July 2024, she has taught at the Hebrew University Business School in Jerusalem, where she has implemented strict protocols for how students can use AI in their coursework.

Goldman holds 24 patents and has published more than 50 academic papers. Her professional background includes 15 years as a research scientist at General Motors and three years as a team leader at Samsung Telecom Research. She earned her PhD in computer science from the Hebrew University in 1999.

In her classroom, students must credit AI when they use it and explain exactly how they applied the technology. Goldman stated that fully AI-generated answers are not accepted. She told students in a recent interview that she can detect AI in their writing, which encourages them to remain critical of the output. They are instructed to brainstorm with the technology while checking for bias and verifying that cited sources actually exist.

To assess understanding, Goldman relies on a mix of classwork, presentations, and peer-organized activities. These in-person evaluations allow her to gauge how well students grasp the material. The curriculum also includes discussions on human responsibility and professional values.

Goldman addressed the concept of reserving certain jobs for humans, a suggestion made by Bill Gates. She argued that the issue is not a simple binary choice. Instead, it requires understanding the specific benefits AI brings to different roles and the critical skills needed to strengthen human performance in those contexts.

The Business School offers specific courses in this area, including AI for Social Good and Responsible AI. The university also runs a Free Listener Program that allows senior citizens to audit these classes. The fall semester is currently underway.

Goldman’s academic work often intersects with practical applications. During her time at General Motors, she worked on introducing learning agents into the vehicle user experience. This work aimed to help drivers stay focused on the road while better understanding autonomous driving functions.

Goldman moved from Argentina to Israel in January 1984 with her family. She attended Mae Boyer High School in Jerusalem and completed her degrees at the Hebrew University. She met her husband, Professor Roy Shenhar, on the campus stairs in 1995. They married in 1999.