I am interested in how technology and communication shape human interaction and decision-making. I have researched how faculty and students adopt (or resist!) generative AI in academia, as well as how audiences respond to influencers in digital advertising. The following projects reflect work completed during my undergraduate studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA, where I majored in Communication Studies, minored in Science Communication, and earned a Technical and Professional Communication Certificate.
Research Papers
Piros, M. & Marrs, K. (2025, December). Beyond the CSU AI Initiative Rollout: Exploring the Continued Uses, Gratifications, and Literacy of Generative Artificial Intelligence Integration at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Available via Digital Commons @ Cal Poly https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/278/
Conference Manuscripts under Review
Piros, M. & Adams, A.(2027, January). Adapting to ChatGPT Edu: A Case Study of AI Uses and Gratifications in Higher Education. Paper to be presented at the 60th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), Waikoloa, HI.
Refereed Conference Papers
Piros, M. & Marrs, K. (2026, December). Beyond the CSU AI initiative rollout: Exploring the continued uses, gratifications, and literacy of generative artificial intelligence integration at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Paper presented at the 51st Social Science Student Symposium, Fresno, CA. *Recipient of Best Qualitative Paper Award [$1,000]
Piros, M. & Adams, A. (2026, February-March). Adoption and resistance to AI: A case study of ChatGPT’s rollout in the CSU system. Paper presented at the 96th Western States Communication Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
Piros, M., Kutrosky, C., Marrs, K., & Valle, A. (2025). The effects of influencer type on purchase intention, advertiser credibility, and brand perception. Paper presented at the 50th Social Science Student Symposium, Carson, CA.
Poster Session: AI Convening 2025
Along with my research partner, I participated in a poster session during Cal Poly’s inaugural AI Convening, an event designed to connect faculty, staff, and industry partners to explore how AI is transforming higher education.
Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly
Piros, Marshall (2023).
The Air We Breathe: The Difference Between Censorship and Internet Content Modification
Available via Digital Commons @ Cal Poly:
https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/278/
Marshall Piros 