Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of humanity’s proximity to global catastrophe was moved to 89 seconds before midnight, a record close. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists made its announcement on Tuesday, citing threats from nuclear risks “posed by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia”, climate change, escalating tensions in various global hotspots, and increasing military uses of artificial intelligence (AI).
Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, commented that there has not been any movement on the challenges, “Setting the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds to midnight is a call to warning for all world leaders,” Holz said.
Russia’s continued war in Ukraine made nuclear crisis remain as well. There is always a fear of a decreased nuclear strike threshold and an abandonment of arms control treaties through Russian President Vladimir Putin. Middle East has also been contributing with continued conflict between Israel and Gaza as well as with wider regional animosities. Increasing mounting military pressures on Taiwan from China, and North Korea’s missile launches also figured into instability sources.
Artificial intelligence rapidly advanced and was criticized for the danger of misuse in military application, especially with regard to nuclear weapons. Holz was concerned with AI-driven disinformation and its derivative disruption of global information systems.
Climate remains a very urgent problem, where 2024 was recorded as the hottest year ever. For all the advancements on renewable energy, it appears that AI failed in helping the world adopt necessary measures to mitigate its worst ramifications.
Founded in 1945 by leading scientists such as Albert Einstein, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists invented the Doomsday Clock in 1947 to signify global existential risks. This year’s unprecedented setting reflects the need for urgent international cooperation in facing the nuclear, climate, and technological threats threatening humankind.
