The Doomsday Clock remains at 90 seconds to midnight in 2024, the closest it has ever been to apocalypse, indicating a high level of global danger
2023 was the hottest year on record, intensifying concerns about climate change. Despite increased investments in renewable energy, the efforts are insufficient to counteract rising global greenhouse gas emissions
The ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia's suspension of participation in arms agreements have significantly influenced the Clock's setting, reflecting increased nuclear risks
The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is a contributing factor, raising concerns about potential regional escalation and involvement of nuclear or near-nuclear powers
The growth of artificial intelligence as a disruptive technology, with potential for exacerbating corruption and disinformation, is a new factor considered in the setting of the Clock
There are concerns about the misuse of biology and AI, including the potential for AI to enable the creation and spread of harmful biological materials
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic timepiece reflecting humanity’s proximity to global catastrophe, primarily due to nuclear threats and climate change. It serves as a warning and a call for action
The Clock is updated annually by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, with a board including Nobel laureates assessing existential threats to determine the Clock's setting
Created in 1947 by scientists of the Manhattan Project, the Doomsday Clock initially focused on nuclear threats, later expanding to include climate change and other existential risks
Although the Clock's current setting is dire, the Bulletin suggests that major global powers like the US, China, and Russia have the capacity to avert catastrophe through urgent and collaborative action