A.I. plots its takeover — and Ron Johnson for Wisconsin governor? UW-L political scientist Chergosky weighs in

A.I. just told us it’s getting set to take over the world. (this is the lede, not the headline) 

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky was in the WIZM studio Friday for La Crosse Talk to unpack how a major newspaper’s summer reading list turned into A.I. subtly warning us that The Terminator and Skynet might be just around the corner.

La Crosse Talk airs weekdays at 6-8 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk wherever you get your podcasts.

We also discuss U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wisconsin) opposition to TOBBA — The One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Johnson is working to block the current version in the Senate unless it includes deeper cuts to working-class programs — while still maintaining tax breaks that largely benefit the wealthy. 

We worked in some Elon Musk talk, as well, with the billionaire claiming he’s going to have a reduced role in politics.

As an aside, with U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Minocqua) considering a run for Wisconsin governor, we ask Chergosky later in the show whether Johnson might be the stronger candidate. Sticking with Wisconsin politics, we talk about how low the bar has gotten: it was considered major news last week that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu met in person — TWICE — with Gov. Tony Evers to talk budget.

And yes, we of course had to mention Crumbl Cookie opening in Onalaska in exactly one week.