TruckandTrackSummer2020

Truck and Track Summer 2020 www.truckandtrack.com 8 BUSINESS NEWS InearlyMarch, CulinaGroupemployeeAndy Brownwas one of a few people in the UK to be diagnosed with Covid-19. Following being admitted to hospital, Andy has now fully recovered, he was asked to originally donate blood for research and vaccine development but has subsequently been asked to donate convalescent plasma for research into antibodies in the hope it can eventually be used to treat new patients with Covid-19. “A Doctor from The NHS Blood and Transplant Service (NHSBT) contacted me as a survivor. The Doctor explained that people like me who have fully recovered from Covid-19 potentially have antibodies in their blood which can fight the virus. This could help patients currently ill with the virus.” Said Andy, who works at Culina Group as Head of Organisational Design, “Originally, they asked me to donate blood, at the NHS Blood and Transplant Service in Leicester. It was all very new to them as I was the first Covid-19 patient they had. Doctors then contacted me again just over a week later and asked if I would like to voluntarily donate convalescent plasma. I would be the first patient to do this at the BirminghamNHSBT facility according to the Blood Trust.” “For me it is such a privilege to donate plasma which will be used to support others. I am just thankful that I am able to give something back to the NHS as a thank you for the care and support I received during my own unpleasant experience with what is now a global pandemic.” The NHS Blood and Transplant Service is waiting on approval for the trial of the therapy, if fully approved, the trials will investigate whether convalescent plasma transfusions could improve a Covid-19 patient’s speed of recovery and chances of survival. According to the NHS, antibodies rise steadily in the blood stream when someone is ill and are thought to peak between 21 and 28 days after recovery. Donors for this procedure must have tested positive for the illness either at home or in hospital but should now be three to four weeks into their recovery, ideally 29 days. That said, not everyone is eligible to donate. Richard Berry, Culina Group HR Director added “This is a fantastic and positive story at a time when they are much needed. All of us at Culina Group are happy that Andy is well and we are very proud that he is contributing to the valuable research being carried out by the NHS Blood and Transplant Service. Andy is looking to go back in two weeks to donate again. “As a business we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our key workers are fully protected during this crisis. Culina Group provides logistics services to food and drink manufacturers and we are a crucial part of the supply chain when getting products on to the retailer’s shelves at this difficult time.” The NHS Blood and Transplant Service contacted Andy directly to thank him for becoming a blood donor and donating convalescent plasma to help with the fight against Covid-19. A Covid-19 good news story for once and one that hopefully is a part of our journey back to our new normality. www.culina.co.uk One of the first in the UK with Covid-19, Culina Group employee Andy Brown is now doing all he can to contribute to research & vaccine development Andy Brown - Culina Group ■■ Continental is developing a code of ethics for the use of artificial intelligence ■■ Decisions taken by self-learning systems must be transparent and understandable ■■ “Artificial intelligence must only be used in accordance with clear ethical principles,” explains Dirk Abendroth, chief technology officer of Continental Automotive Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for mobility. That is why Continental has now developed a code of ethics for the use of such self-learning systems,making the technology company oneof thepioneers of this industry. “Artificial intelligence can and must only be programmed and used in accordance with clear ethical principles,” explains Dirk Abendroth, chief technology officer of Continental Automotive. “Smart algorithms play a huge role in the automotive industry, such as in the case of autonomous driving. As a technology company, we are responsible for ensuring that all our product developments and internal processes are in keepingwith ethical standards. This is why AI-based decision-making must always be nondiscriminatory.” The code of ethics corresponds with international regulations such as the EU’s ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI. It applies to all Continental locations worldwide and serves as a guide for all collaboration partners of the company. The focus of the new regulatory framework is on the transparency of computer-based decisions as well as on data security. If key work steps are taken over by computers, a basic prerequisite for acceptance is that people continue to understand how such a self-learning system works. Where is the data taken from? What processing steps lead to what actions? How is the data stored? Internally, for example in HR management, do work processes that involve the use of artificial intelligence comply with Continental’s other regulations, such as those relating to equality? Such questions – and thus regulations – are essential when it comes to shaping the mobility of the future. More and more everyday functions are now almost unimaginable without AI: voice assistants in smartphones, diagnostic methods in the medical sector and navigation applications are all prime examples. Continental relies on artificial intelligence for a wide range of its products. These include camera-based driver assistance systems withobjectrecognition,turnassistsystems,andgesturerecognition as a means of communication between people and vehicles. Such systems with AI functions are capable of processing vast amounts of data almost in real time and delivering better results with every bit of new information received. www.continental.com Ethics Regulations for Artificial Intelligence Equality is at the heart of Continental’s code of ethics for the development and usage of artificial intelligence