Goldman Integrates Artificial Intelligence Into Academic Curriculum at Hebrew University
An associate professor uses a structured approach to teach students how to leverage AI tools for critical analysis while maintaining academic integrity in their coursework.
By Thiago Kovalenko ·
The integration of artificial intelligence into higher education continues to reshape how instructors and students interact with emerging technologies. As the fall semester begins in 2026, new methodologies are being introduced to balance technological utility with traditional academic standards.
Prof. Claudia V. Goldman, an associate professor in the Data Science Department at the Hebrew University Business School in Jerusalem, outlines a specific framework for this transition. She emphasizes that her primary objective is to utilize AI to address practical, real-world challenges. Since assuming her role in July 2024, she has focused on helping students navigate the complex relationship between human cognition and machine assistance.
Goldman’s approach to classroom management is defined by clear guidelines regarding the use of digital tools. She instructs students on the precise circumstances under which AI may be employed and requires them to explicitly credit the technology and explain its application. She has stated that fully AI-generated responses are not accepted and that she can detect such writing. Instead, she encourages a critical brainstorming process where students verify whether information is biased or if cited sources actually exist, ensuring they remain active participants in their learning.
To assess student understanding, Goldman employs a mixed evaluation strategy that includes classwork, presentations, and peer-organized discussions. This method allows for in-person assessment of comprehension. The curriculum also incorporates broader conversations about human responsibility and professional values, aiming to define the kind of individuals and researchers students should aspire to become in an increasingly automated world.
Goldman brings extensive industry and academic experience to her role. She holds 24 patents and has published over 50 academic papers. Her career includes research positions at Bar-Ilan University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Haifa, followed by significant time in the private sector. She served as a team leader at Samsung Telecom Research and spent 15 years as a research scientist at General Motors, where she worked on learning agents for vehicle user experiences. She holds three degrees from the Hebrew University, including a PhD in computer science.
Regarding the future of labor, Goldman offers a nuanced perspective on the concept of human-reserved jobs. She argues that the issue is not a simple binary choice between professions but rather an understanding of the specific benefits AI offers in various contexts and the critical skills required to enhance them. The Business School supports this exploration through courses such as AI for Social Good and Responsible AI. Additionally, the university’s Free Listener Program allows senior citizens to audit these courses, with the fall term currently underway.
Born in Argentina, Goldman moved to Israel in January 1984 at the age of 16. She attended a Jewish school in Buenos Aires before her family made aliyah. She met her husband, Prof. Roy Shenhar, a full professor of chemistry, on the Hebrew University campus in 1995. They married in 1999, completing her academic and personal journey within the institution where she now teaches.
