The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic timepiece created by atomic experts in 1947, currently stands at ninety seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe. Originally designed to highlight the dangers of nuclear war, the clock now also reflects multiple contemporary threats, including climate change, artificial intelligence, and pandemics.

Rachel Bronson of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists highlights that nations with nuclear weapons are modernizing their arsenals, raising the risk of a new arms race. She also points to the extreme weather events of 2023, which included record heat and widespread floods and fires, exacerbating climate change’s threat to global stability. Additionally, advances in artificial intelligence present both opportunities and dangers, sparking concerns over the potential for uncontrollable technological risks.

The Bulletin emphasizes that no single nation or leader can tackle these existential threats alone. To reverse the clock, the world’s major powers—the United States, China, and Russia—must engage in serious dialogue and take responsibility for the risks they face.

This year’s clock update follows Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which escalated fears of nuclear conflict and undermined global efforts to combat climate change. With ongoing tensions in the Middle East and other areas, the global situation remains perilous.