Doomsday Clock moves to 85 seconds to midnight

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest setting since 1947. The group cited rising risks from nuclear weapons, climate change and disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved its Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight on Tuesday. That is the closest setting to midnight since the clock was unveiled in 1947. The organization said the decision reflects growing risks from nuclear weapons, climate change and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence. The clock has been adjusted more than two dozen times over its nearly eight-decade history. Key points: - The Bulletin set the clock at 85 seconds to midnight for 2026, moving it closer from 89 seconds last year. - The board cited growing dangers from nuclear weapons, record atmospheric carbon dioxide and rising sea levels, and disruptive technologies including AI. - The group noted that the 2010 New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia is set to expire next week and said that development increases nuclear risk. - The current setting is the closest to midnight in the clock's nearly 80-year history. Summary: The bulletin's update reflects its assessment that several global trends have increased existential risk and that progress to reduce those risks has been insufficient. It highlighted the imminent expiration of the New START treaty as a near-term concern. What, if any, policy or diplomatic responses will follow is undetermined at this time.