Doomsday Clock moves to 85 seconds before midnight

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists advanced its Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, citing rising risks from nuclear tensions, climate change, potential misuse of biotechnology and growing use of artificial intelligence without sufficient controls.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that it has moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight. The group said the change reflects growing risks from nuclear confrontation, climate-related extremes, potential misuse of biotechnology and expanding use of artificial intelligence without adequate governance. The Bulletin cited rising geopolitical tensions and weakening international cooperation as factors in its assessment. The announcement was made at a news event in Washington. Key details: - The clock was set at 85 seconds to midnight, down from 89 seconds the previous year. - The Bulletin identified nuclear war risk, droughts, heat waves, floods tied to climate change, potential misuse of biotechnology and unregulated AI as contributing factors. - The group pointed to heightened tensions among nuclear-armed states, mentioning conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine and the May India-Pakistan clashes, and concerns about Iran. - Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin’s science and security board, said declining international cooperation increases shared risk. - The organization stated the clock could be turned back if leaders and nations worked together to address existential risks. Summary: The Bulletin’s change signals its view that multiple long-term and acute risks have increased and that current international cooperation is insufficient to lower those risks. The group said collective action could reverse the clock’s advance. Undetermined at this time.