Doomsday Clock is now closer than ever to midnight.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced on January 27, 2026 that the Doomsday Clock is set at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest setting on record.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced on January 27, 2026 that the Doomsday Clock is set at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest setting in its history. The clock is a symbolic measure created by scientists to indicate how the board assesses the likelihood of large-scale, human-caused catastrophe. The time reflects the board's combined judgment about multiple, intersecting threats, such as nuclear weapons, climate change, and emerging technologies. The setting is decided annually by the Bulletin's Science and Security Board after expert deliberations. Key facts: - The Bulletin announced the clock at 85 seconds to midnight on January 27, 2026, which it describes as the closest on record. - The Science and Security Board, chaired by Daniel Holz, sets the time after meetings and consultations with specialists in nuclear security, climate, biology, and technology. - The Doomsday Clock is intended to summarize the board's assessment of intersecting risks rather than to serve as a precise prediction. - The board's process includes meetings earlier in the year and a formal announcement each January following their deliberations. Summary: The Bulletin's announcement reflects the board's view that multiple global risks have intensified and are interacting in ways they judge concerning. Undetermined at this time.