Washington, USA — Atomic scientists on Tuesday announced that the symbolic Doomsday Clock has been set to 85 seconds before midnight, the closest it has ever been since its inception in 1947, signalling heightened global existential risks, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists said.
The annual adjustment reflects escalating threats from nuclear tensions, geopolitical instability, unchecked advances in artificial intelligence (AI), and insufficient global action on climate change, the group said. The Doomsday Clock, maintained by the Chicago-based nonprofit, is a symbolic measure of how close humanity is to catastrophe, “midnight” representing global disaster.
In setting the clock, the Bulletin noted that ongoing conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and strained relations among major powers, have weakened global arms-control frameworks. It highlighted a deteriorating landscape of nuclear diplomacy and shrinking trust between the United States, Russia and China.
Experts also flagged the rapid development of AI technologies without adequate safeguards, citing increased risks of misuse in military systems, cyberattacks and the spread of harmful disinformation. The group further pointed to persistent climate change challenges, noting that global political responses have fallen short of meeting scientific targets to limit temperature rise.
Alexandra Bell, president and CEO of the Bulletin, said the decision reflects what she described as “a global failure in leadership” amid rising nationalism and geopolitical competition. She warned that without renewed cooperation on arms control, technology governance and environmental policy, the world remains perilously close to disaster.
Created in the aftermath of World War II by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, the Doomsday Clock serves as a warning to world leaders and the public about threats to humanity. Its closest previous setting was 100 seconds to midnight in 2022 and 2023.
Though symbolic, the adjustment is closely watched by policymakers and analysts as an indicator of the state of international security and scientific governance. The Bulletin urged nations to strengthen diplomatic channels, renew commitments to existing arms control treaties, and adopt regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies.
Originally Published By: Reuters
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