The Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock at 85 seconds to midnight on January 27, 2026, the closest it has ever been.
The clock symbolizes humanity’s proximity to global catastrophe from nuclear war, climate change, and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
The rising nuclear threats, record greenhouse gas emissions, and declining international cooperation are cited as major causes.
The clock was first set in 1947 at seven minutes to midnight after World War II.