Teaching AI: A professor's approach to balancing technology and critical thinking

More than 50 academic papers and 24 patents define the professional track record of Claudia V. Goldman. This extensive body of work forms the foundation for her current role as an associate professor in the Data Science Department at the Hebrew University Business School in Jerusalem. She has held this position since July 2024, bringing a blend of academic research and industry experience to her teaching.

Goldman’s primary objective is to apply artificial intelligence to solve practical, real-world problems. Her educational approach reflects this practical focus. She does not ban technology in her classes but instead teaches students how to use it effectively. She provides clear guidelines on when and why specific AI tools are permitted. A key requirement is transparency. Students must credit the technology and explain exactly how they used it to complete their tasks.

There is a distinct limit to what she accepts. Fully AI-generated answers do not meet her standards. Goldman tells her students that she can detect machine-written text. This reality encourages a different mode of interaction. She urges students to brainstorm with AI while maintaining a critical eye. This involves checking for bias in the information and verifying whether cited sources actually exist. The goal is to keep the student in charge of the intellectual process.

Assessment in her courses relies heavily on in-person interactions. She evaluates students through a mix of classwork, presentations, and peer-led discussions. These methods allow her to gauge understanding directly. The curriculum also extends beyond technical skills. Classes discuss human responsibility and values. Students consider what kind of researcher, professional, or person they aim to become in an age of automation.

Goldman’s perspective on the future of work aligns with these classroom discussions. She recently addressed the concept of Human Reserved jobs, a suggestion by Bill Gates to set aside certain professions for people. She argues the issue is not a simple binary choice. Instead, it is about understanding the specific benefits AI brings to different roles. It also requires identifying the critical skills needed to strengthen human performance in those contexts.

The Business School supports this interdisciplinary learning through specific course offerings. Subjects include AI for Social Good, Responsible AI, and When AI Meets Humans and Society. The university also runs a Free Listener Program that allows senior citizens to audit courses. As the fall semester begins, these programs are designed to bridge the gap between technical innovation and societal impact.

Before joining the university faculty, Goldman spent significant time in the private sector. She worked as a team leader at Samsung Telecom Research in Herzliya for three years. She then spent 15 years as a research scientist in General Motors' research and development organization, also in Herzliya. At General Motors, she focused 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.

Her professional path is rooted in a strong educational background. Born in Argentina, Goldman moved to Israel with her family in January 1984 at the age of 16. She completed high school in Jerusalem in 1986 and served in the army. She subsequently earned three degrees at the Hebrew University: a BSc in computer science, mathematics, and electronics in 1991; an MSc in computer science in 1993; and a PhD in computer science in 1999. Her doctoral supervisor was the award-winning scholar Jeff Rosenschein. Between 1999 and 2005, she held research positions at Bar-Ilan University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Haifa.