Curiosity blossoms, failures turn into stepping stones, and learning flourishes as we set out on the path to cultivating a grassroots cultural shift with AI.

In this exploration, we uncover the power of AI to transform our culture from within, igniting innovation and adaptability.

From real-world examples that inspire us to best practices that guide us, we navigate the landscape of AI-driven culture change with a hunger for mastery.

Together, we embrace the endless possibilities AI brings, empowering our employees and fostering collaboration.

Advertisement

Trust and transparency become our guiding lights as we leverage AI tools and technologies to amplify voices, address environmental issues, and streamline operations.

As we measure the impact of AI on culture change, we glimpse future trends and opportunities, propelling us forward on this transformative path.

Key Takeaways

• AI enables organizations to cultivate a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and learning.
• Failure becomes a stepping stone to success with AI, promoting continuous learning and improvement.
• AI creates a safe environment for questioning assumptions and challenging the status quo, fostering critical thinking and creativity.
• Leadership plays a pivotal role in driving cultural change through AI, embracing curiosity and experimentation and inspiring others to do the same.

The Power of AI in Culture Change

In our experience, through AI, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and learning. AI enables organizations to cultivate a culture that embraces change and encourages exploration. By encouraging experimentation and exploration, AI opens up new possibilities and applications that were previously unimagined. This culture of curiosity drives innovation and pushes boundaries, allowing organizations to adapt and thrive in the rapidly evolving AI-driven world.

Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is another crucial aspect of cultivating an AI culture change. With AI, failure becomes a stepping stone to success. By embracing failure and viewing it as a valuable learning experience, organizations foster resilience and adaptability. This mindset promotes continuous learning and improvement, ensuring that individuals and teams stay relevant and effective in an AI-driven environment.

Furthermore, AI creates a safe environment for questioning assumptions and challenging the status quo. This fosters critical thinking and creativity, encouraging employees to think outside the box and explore alternative solutions. The ability to question assumptions and challenge existing norms is essential for innovation and problem-solving in the AI era.

Leadership plays a pivotal role in setting the tone for the organization. When leaders demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to learn, they inspire and motivate others to do the same. Recognizing and rewarding innovative thinking and risk-taking related to AI encourages employees to embrace curiosity and experimentation, further driving cultural change.

Advertisement

Understanding Grassroots Transformation

To truly understand grassroots transformation, we must recognize the power of individuals coming together to drive change through collective action. Grassroots transformation refers to a bottom-up approach where change is initiated and driven by individuals within an organization or community. It’s a powerful force that can lead to significant cultural shifts and enable organizations to adapt and thrive in an AI-driven world.

Understanding grassroots transformation involves grasping its key characteristics and the factors that contribute to its success.

Here are four key aspects to consider when seeking to understand grassroots transformation:

• Empowerment: Grassroots transformation empowers individuals to take ownership of change initiatives and make a difference. It encourages individuals to step up, voice their ideas, and actively participate in shaping the future.
• Collaboration: Collaboration is at the heart of grassroots transformation. It emphasizes the importance of working together, breaking down silos, and leveraging diverse perspectives to drive change collectively.
• Trust and transparency: Building trust and fostering transparency are vital for grassroots transformation. Open communication channels, sharing information, and involving everyone in decision-making processes create a sense of trust and enable individuals to contribute effectively.
• Persistence and resilience: Grassroots transformation requires persistence and resilience. It’s a journey that may face obstacles and setbacks along the way. By staying committed and adaptable, individuals can overcome challenges and drive meaningful change.

Understanding grassroots transformation enables organizations to harness the collective power of their people and create a culture that embraces innovation, adaptation, and continuous improvement. By recognizing the importance of empowerment, collaboration, trust, and resilience, organizations can foster an environment conducive to grassroots transformation and position themselves for success in the AI-driven era.

Real-World Examples of AI-driven Culture Change

AI-driven transformations have demonstrated their power in overcoming cultural resistance and driving real-world change. By leveraging AI tools, marginalized communities have been able to amplify their voices and build empathy for their causes.

Additionally, AI’s ability to assess and analyze vast amounts of data has enabled grassroots organizers to tailor their messaging, expand outreach, and attract more support for their initiatives.

Advertisement

These real-world examples highlight the potential of AI to create a grassroots culture change by breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity.

Successful Ai-Driven Transformations

We have witnessed remarkable transformations driven by AI in various real-world examples, bringing about significant culture change. Successful AI-driven transformations have shown the immense potential of AI to revolutionize grassroots organizing and create positive societal impact.

Here are some key examples:

• AI-powered data analytics have enabled organizers to gain deep insights into their target demographics, allowing for more tailored and effective messaging.
• AI-powered chatbots have facilitated engagement with marginalized communities, amplifying their voices and fostering empathy and support for their causes.
• AI-driven outreach efforts have expanded the reach of campaigns, connecting with diverse and previously inaccessible audiences.
• AI-powered environmental monitoring has helped identify and address critical issues, providing real-time data to enable communities to take necessary precautions.

These examples demonstrate how AI has played a pivotal role in driving successful transformations, empowering grassroots organizers to achieve their goals with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Overcoming Cultural Resistance

As we delve into the realm of overcoming cultural resistance in AI-driven culture change, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant impact that grassroots movements have had in embracing and leveraging AI technologies. These movements have played a pivotal role in challenging traditional norms and promoting the adoption of AI across diverse industries. By highlighting real-world examples of AI-driven culture change, we can better understand the strategies employed to overcome cultural resistance.

These examples highlight the importance of creating an environment that fosters curiosity, rewards innovation, and promotes continuous learning. By doing so, organizations can effectively overcome cultural resistance and drive successful AI-driven culture change.

Advertisement

Leveraging AI for Empowering Employees

To empower employees, AI technology provides concrete tools for skill development and adaptability in an ever-evolving landscape. Leveraging AI can have a profound impact on employee empowerment, enabling them to thrive in the digital era. Here are four ways AI can empower employees:

• Personalized Learning: AI-powered platforms can analyze individual employee performance and provide personalized learning recommendations. By tailoring training programs to each employee’s needs and interests, AI helps them acquire new skills and stay relevant in a rapidly changing AI-driven world.
• Resilience Building: Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is crucial in an AI-powered workplace. AI can provide valuable insights from failures, helping employees analyze and learn from their mistakes. This fosters resilience and adaptability, enabling employees to navigate challenges and embrace continuous improvement.
• Enhanced Collaboration: AI-powered chatbots can facilitate communication and collaboration among employees, breaking down barriers and improving teamwork. These chatbots can provide real-time support, answer questions, and streamline workflows, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
• Augmented Decision-Making: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data and provide valuable insights to employees, enabling them to make informed decisions. By leveraging AI-powered analytics, employees can access timely and accurate information, enhancing their decision-making capabilities.

Enhancing Collaboration With AI Technology

When it comes to enhancing collaboration with AI technology, there are several key benefits to consider.

AI fosters cross-functional collaboration by providing tools and platforms that facilitate knowledge-sharing and learning opportunities.

Additionally, AI can help overcome collaboration challenges by automating routine tasks, freeing up time for organizers to focus on more complex and strategic initiatives.

To ensure successful AI collaboration, organizations should implement strategies that leverage AI-powered tools to streamline communication, promote transparency, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Benefits of AI Collaboration

AI collaboration enhances our ability to leverage AI technology for improved collaboration and problem-solving. By embracing AI collaboration, we can experience several benefits that improve the efficiency of our collaboration efforts:

Advertisement

• Increased Speed: AI collaboration allows us to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more complex problem-solving activities.
• Enhanced Accuracy: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, providing valuable insights and reducing human error.
• Diverse Perspectives: AI collaboration enables us to incorporate diverse perspectives from team members and AI systems, leading to more innovative and creative solutions.
• Real-time Collaboration: AI collaboration tools facilitate real-time communication and information sharing, enabling faster decision-making and problem-solving.

These benefits enhance our collaboration capabilities and ultimately contribute to more effective problem-solving in the AI era.

In the next section, we’ll explore strategies for overcoming collaboration challenges and maximizing the potential of AI collaboration.

Overcoming Collaboration Challenges

We believe that fostering adaptability is essential for successfully navigating collaboration challenges in the AI era. Overcoming collaboration challenges requires a proactive approach that embraces curiosity, continuous learning, and experimentation.

Encouraging employees to explore new AI applications and possibilities promotes cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Recognizing and rewarding innovative thinking and risk-taking encourages employees to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, fostering resilience and adaptability in the face of AI challenges.

Providing resources and support for continuous learning initiatives empowers employees to develop their AI skills, streamlining operations and decision-making processes. Additionally, AI-powered tools can play a crucial role in overcoming collaboration challenges by helping organizers reach a diverse and precise audience, improving outreach and targeting through tailored campaigns.

Successful AI Collaboration Strategies

To enhance collaboration with AI technology, our organization embraces successful AI collaboration strategies that promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing. These strategies have proven effective in fostering a collaborative environment where employees can leverage the power of AI to drive innovation and achieve organizational goals. Here are some key strategies that have contributed to our success:

Advertisement

• Implementing regular cross-functional team meetings to facilitate communication and collaboration across departments.
• Encouraging the use of collaborative tools and platforms that enable seamless sharing of information and ideas.
• Providing training and development opportunities to enhance employees’ AI skills and knowledge.
• Establishing a culture of transparency and trust, where employees are encouraged to openly share their insights and feedback.

Creating a Culture of Innovation Through AI

Our organization’s commitment to cultivating a culture of innovation through AI is evident in our embrace of curiosity, failure, and continuous learning.

By fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, we promote innovative thinking and problem-solving. We recognize that curiosity fuels exploration and discovery, leading to breakthroughs in AI applications and possibilities.

Moreover, we understand the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity. By encouraging a mindset of experimentation and risk-taking, we create an atmosphere where our team members feel empowered to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI. Failure becomes a stepping stone towards improvement and growth, rather than a deterrent.

In our organization, we lead by example. We demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to learn, setting the tone for the entire team. This culture of leadership encourages others to embrace AI-driven change and innovation, fostering a collective mindset of continuous improvement.

By creating a culture of innovation through AI, we enhance our organization’s readiness to leverage AI for innovative solutions. This adaptability and agility in responding to AI-driven changes and disruptions position us for success in an evolving technological landscape.

Transitioning into the subsequent section on AI-driven strategies for organizational success, we’ll explore specific examples and best practices that demonstrate how our commitment to a culture of innovation through AI translates into tangible outcomes.

Advertisement

AI-Driven Strategies for Organizational Success

An essential component of achieving organizational success through AI is the implementation of effective strategies. To ensure that AI is leveraged to its full potential, organizations should consider the following AI-driven strategies for organizational success:

• Develop a clear AI roadmap: Creating a well-defined roadmap helps in setting clear goals and aligning AI initiatives with organizational objectives. This involves identifying key areas where AI can create the most impact and prioritizing those areas for implementation.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration: Collaboration across different teams and departments is crucial for successful AI implementation. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, organizations can develop innovative AI solutions that address complex challenges and drive organizational success.
• Invest in AI talent and upskilling: Building a strong AI team with the right skills and expertise is essential for the successful implementation of AI initiatives. Organizations should invest in hiring AI talent and provide opportunities for upskilling existing employees to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and capabilities to work effectively with AI technologies.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate AI performance: Regularly monitoring and evaluating AI performance is crucial for identifying areas of improvement and making necessary adjustments. By leveraging AI analytics and data-driven insights, organizations can optimize AI systems, enhance decision-making processes, and drive organizational success.

Best Practices for Implementing AI in Culture Change

To successfully implement AI in culture change, it’s crucial to develop employee buy-in strategies and address any resistance to change.

By involving employees in the decision-making process, providing clear communication about the benefits of AI, and offering training and support, organizations can overcome resistance and foster a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for AI initiatives.

This proactive approach will help create a culture that embraces AI and its potential, driving innovation and growth within the organization.

Employee Buy-In Strategies

How can we effectively engage employees in the process of implementing AI and driving culture change?

Employee buy-in is crucial for successful AI integration and culture change initiatives. Here are some strategies to ensure employee buy-in:

Advertisement

• Communication: Transparently communicate the purpose, benefits, and potential impact of AI on the organization and employees’ roles.
• Inclusion: Involve employees in decision-making processes, allowing them to contribute ideas and suggestions for AI implementation.
• Training and Support: Provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to help employees develop the necessary skills and confidence to work alongside AI technologies.
• Recognition and Rewards: Recognize and reward employees who embrace AI and actively contribute to culture change, fostering a positive environment that encourages participation.

Overcoming Resistance to Change

In implementing AI in culture change, we must address resistance through effective strategies to engage employees.

Overcoming resistance to change is crucial for successful adoption of AI in culture change efforts.

One effective strategy is to communicate the benefits of AI and how it aligns with the organization’s goals and values. By highlighting the opportunities AI brings and its potential to enhance productivity and innovation, employees can see the value in embracing AI.

Additionally, providing training and support to develop AI skills can help alleviate fears and build confidence in using AI tools.

Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and experimentation, where failure is seen as a learning opportunity, can also help overcome resistance. By recognizing and rewarding innovative thinking and risk-taking, employees feel empowered to embrace the changes brought by AI.

Ultimately, by addressing resistance head-on and leveraging effective strategies, organizations can successfully implement AI in culture change initiatives.

Advertisement

Overcoming Challenges in AI Adoption for Culture Change

Our journey in overcoming the challenges of AI adoption for culture change begins with cultivating a culture that encourages curiosity, innovative thinking, and problem-solving. To successfully navigate the obstacles that arise, we must embrace failure as a learning opportunity. By doing so, we foster resilience and adaptability, crucial qualities for overcoming the challenges of AI adoption for culture change.

Additionally, promoting a continuous learning mindset is essential. This enables employees to acquire new skills and stay relevant in an AI-driven world, addressing the challenge of skill development. Encouraging experimentation and exploration is another key aspect. By allowing for the discovery of new AI applications and possibilities, we can overcome the challenge of resistance to change.

Lessons Learned From Successful AI Culture Change Initiatives

To successfully navigate the challenges of AI adoption for culture change, we found that embracing failure as a learning opportunity and promoting a continuous learning mindset were crucial. In our experience, organizations that have successfully undergone AI culture change initiatives have learned valuable lessons along the way. These lessons can serve as guideposts for others embarking on a similar journey.

Below is a table summarizing some of the key lessons learned from successful AI culture change initiatives:

By incorporating these lessons into AI culture change initiatives, organizations can create a supportive environment that encourages learning, experimentation, and growth. This sets the foundation for successful AI adoption and transformation.

Advertisement

In the next section, we will explore the role of leadership in AI-enabled culture transformation and how leaders can drive change from the top-down.

The Role of Leadership in AI-Enabled Culture Transformation

As leaders, it’s essential for us to actively drive AI-enabled culture transformation within our organization, leveraging our influence and expertise to foster a culture of curiosity, learning, and innovation. The role of leadership in AI-enabled culture transformation is vital in shaping the organization’s mindset and behavior towards AI adoption.

Here are some key ways that leadership can contribute to this transformation:

• Setting the example: By demonstrating curiosity, a willingness to learn, and an openness to new ideas, leaders can create a culture that values continuous learning and growth.
• Providing resources and support: Leaders play a crucial role in providing the necessary resources, training, and support for employees to develop their AI skills and adapt to technological changes.
• Encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing: Leaders should encourage cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing to enhance learning opportunities and promote a culture of curiosity. This allows for diverse perspectives and ideas to emerge, driving innovation.
• Recognizing and rewarding innovative thinking: Leaders should recognize and reward employees who demonstrate innovative thinking and are willing to take risks. This encourages others to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, fostering a culture of resilience and adaptability.

Building Trust and Transparency With AI Implementation

When it comes to building trust and transparency with AI implementation, two key considerations are user perception of AI and ethical considerations.

By addressing user perception, organizations can proactively tackle concerns and misconceptions, ensuring that employees understand the benefits and limitations of AI technologies.

Ethical considerations play a crucial role in building trust, as organizations must prioritize fairness, accountability, and transparency in their AI systems to avoid biases or discriminatory outcomes.

Advertisement

Addressing these points won’t only foster trust and transparency but also lay the foundation for responsible and ethical AI implementation.

User Perception of AI

Building trust and transparency with AI implementation involves actively involving users in the design and development process. To shape user perception of AI, it’s crucial to take the following steps:

• Engage users in AI development: By including users in the design and development of AI applications, their concerns and needs can be addressed, fostering trust and transparency.
• Provide clear explanations of AI decisions: Users should receive understandable explanations of how AI makes decisions, helping them trust the technology and its outcomes.
• Communicate ethical considerations: Openly discussing the ethical guidelines and considerations for AI use helps build trust and confidence among users.
• Share success stories: Highlighting the benefits and positive impact of AI implementation can demonstrate its value and engender trust in the technology.

Ethical Considerations in AI

Our commitment to ethical considerations in AI drives our efforts to build trust and transparency in its implementation.

Ethical considerations in AI are crucial in ensuring that the technology is developed and deployed in a responsible and accountable manner. By addressing ethical concerns and incorporating principles such as fairness, accountability, and transparency, we can foster trust among users and stakeholders.

Building trust requires a proactive approach that involves clear communication about the AI system’s capabilities and limitations, as well as the potential risks and benefits.

Transparency, on the other hand, involves providing explanations for the AI system’s decisions and actions, ensuring that users understand how their data is being used.

Advertisement

AI Tools and Technologies for Grassroots Culture Change

How can AI tools and technologies empower grassroots organizers to drive culture change?

AI tools and technologies offer a range of capabilities that can revolutionize grassroots culture change efforts. Here are four ways in which AI can be harnessed for this purpose:

1. Data analysis and targeting: AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and preferences, enabling organizers to tailor their messaging and campaigns more effectively. This targeted approach increases the chances of reaching the right audience and gaining their support.
2. Amplifying marginalized voices: AI-powered chatbots provide a platform for marginalized communities to share their stories and experiences, amplifying their voices and creating awareness. By giving a voice to those often unheard, AI tools foster inclusivity and drive change from the grassroots level.
3. Streamlining operations: AI-powered tools streamline operational processes and decision-making, enhancing efficiency and freeing up time for organizers to focus on more complex tasks. This increased productivity allows for more effective implementation of culture change initiatives.
4. Environmental monitoring: AI tools can identify and monitor environmental hazards in real-time, providing crucial data for addressing environmental issues. By harnessing AI and machine learning, grassroots organizers can better understand and combat the challenges faced by their communities, driving positive change for the environment.

AI tools and technologies offer immense potential for grassroots culture change. By leveraging these capabilities, organizers can harness the power of data analysis, amplification of marginalized voices, operational streamlining, and environmental monitoring to drive meaningful and lasting change from the ground up.

Measuring the Impact of AI on Culture Change

As we delve into the topic of measuring the impact of AI on culture change, it is important to consider the ways in which AI-driven analytics can provide valuable insights and data. By harnessing the power of AI, organizations can gain a deeper understanding of the effects of cultural changes and make informed decisions to drive further progress.

One effective way to measure the impact of AI on culture change is through the use of AI-powered tools and technologies. These tools can assess and analyze vast amounts of data, allowing organizations to track behavioral shifts and adaptability towards AI-driven cultural changes. Additionally, AI can help measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts by analyzing the response of diverse audiences to cultural change initiatives.

To illustrate the potential impact of AI on culture change, consider the following table:

Advertisement

By measuring these aspects, organizations can gauge the success and effectiveness of their AI-driven culture change initiatives.

As we look towards the future, it is clear that AI-driven culture change will continue to evolve and present new opportunities. In the next section, we will explore the future trends and opportunities in AI-driven culture change.

Future Trends and Opportunities in AI-driven Culture Change

To explore the future trends and opportunities in AI-driven culture change, we can analyze the potential for AI to revolutionize employee training and development. As AI continues to advance, organizations have the opportunity to leverage its capabilities to enhance learning experiences and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Here are some key trends and opportunities to consider:

• Personalized Learning:
  AI can analyze individual learning patterns and preferences to create personalized training programs. By tailoring content and delivery methods to each employee, organizations can optimize learning outcomes and improve overall performance.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR):
  AI-powered VR and AR technologies provide immersive and interactive learning experiences. They can simulate real-life scenarios, allowing employees to practice skills in a safe and controlled environment. This can be particularly beneficial for training in high-risk industries or complex tasks.
• Intelligent Chatbots:
  AI-powered chatbots can serve as virtual learning assistants, providing instant support and guidance to employees. They can answer questions, offer resources, and provide real-time feedback, enhancing the learning experience and promoting self-directed learning.
• Predictive Analytics:
  AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends in employee performance. By leveraging predictive analytics, organizations can anticipate skill gaps and proactively design training programs to address them, ensuring employees are equipped with the necessary skills for future roles.

These trends and opportunities demonstrate the transformative potential of AI in driving culture change. By embracing these advancements, organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation, preparing their workforce for the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Is AI Changing Our Culture?

AI is transforming our culture by fostering curiosity, resilience, and continuous learning. It promotes a safe environment for questioning assumptions and encourages critical thinking and creativity.

Through AI, leaders can nurture a culture of innovation, risk-taking, and learning by providing resources and recognition. AI empowers employees to develop new skills and adapt to an AI-driven world.

Advertisement

As we embrace AI, it becomes an integral part of our culture, driving us to explore, experiment, and solve problems in innovative ways.

How Do You Create an AI Ready Culture?

To create an AI-ready culture, we need to foster an environment that embraces change and encourages continuous learning. It’s like building a sturdy foundation for a skyscraper.

We must cultivate a curiosity-driven mindset, where failure is seen as a learning opportunity. By promoting experimentation and exploration, we can unlock new possibilities and applications for AI.

Additionally, creating a safe space for questioning assumptions and promoting critical thinking will foster the creativity needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.

What Role Does TrAIning Play in Fostering a Culture of Responsible AI Within an Organization?

Training plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of responsible AI within our organization. It empowers us to continuously learn and acquire new AI skills, keeping us relevant in an AI-driven world.

Advertisement

Through training, we encourage experimentation and exploration, leading to the discovery of new AI applications and possibilities.

It also creates a safe environment for questioning assumptions and promoting critical thinking and ethical considerations in AI applications.

Which Key Factor in the AI Ready Culture of an Organization Helps With the Successful Implementation of AI?

A key factor in our organization’s AI-ready culture that helps with successful AI implementation is fostering a mindset of continuous learning.

By encouraging our employees to acquire new skills and stay relevant in an AI-driven world, we enhance our ability to effectively utilize AI.

This commitment to ongoing learning enables us to adapt to new technologies and advancements, ensuring that we’re well-prepared to implement AI solutions and maximize their potential impact.

Advertisement

Conclusion

In conclusion, embracing curiosity, failure, and learning in the AI era is essential for creating a grassroots culture change.

By fostering a continuous learning mindset and encouraging experimentation, organizations can unlock the full potential of AI and drive innovation.

Leadership plays a crucial role in promoting this culture, leading by example and providing resources for continuous learning.

With increased adaptability, problem-solving capabilities, and employee satisfaction, organizations can gain a competitive advantage and thrive in an AI-driven world.

So let’s embrace the power of AI and unleash our curiosity to shape a better future.

Advertisement

Hanna

Hanna is the Editor in Chief at AI Smasher and is deeply passionate about AI and technology journalism. With a computer science background and a talent for storytelling, she effectively communicates complex AI topics to a broad audience. Committed to high editorial standards, Hanna also mentors young tech journalists. Outside her role, she stays updated in the AI field by attending conferences and engaging in think tanks. Hanna is open to connections.