The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic measure of humanity's proximity to catastrophic destruction, has been set at 89 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been, symbolizing humanity's shortest margin from potential catastrophe since the clock's creation.
The decision, announced by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on January 28, reflects escalating global threats, including nuclear tensions, climate change, infectious diseases, and unregulated advancements in artificial intelligence.
What Is The Doomsday Clock?
The Doomsday Clock is a metaphorical representation of how close humanity is to self-destruction. Created in 1947 by artist Martyl Langsdorf for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, it was inspired by discussions among scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project and were concerned about the urgent need to control nuclear weapons.
The clock uses the imagery of a countdown to midnight to convey the urgency of threats such as nuclear war, climate change, biological risks, and disruptive technologies. Each year, the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, in consultation with Nobel laureates, determines the clock's time.
"The Doomsday Clock is about urgency, not fear," Rachel Bronson, president of the Bulletin, previously told Newsweek. "The design is a metaphor that warns the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making."
History of the Doomsday Clock Explained
When first introduced, the clock was set at seven minutes to midnight. Over the decades, it has been adjusted 25 times, reflecting the fluctuating levels of global danger.
During the Cold War in 1991, the clock was set 17 minutes from midnight—the farthest it has ever been. Conversely, 2025's setting at 89 seconds to midnight marks its closest approach.
As Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, explained during the 2025 announcement, "The world has not made sufficient progress on existential risks threatening all of humanity."
Why It Matters
The new time underscores the severe risks of global instability and scientific advancements. Holz emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "When we set the clock closer to midnight, we send a stark signal. Because the world is already perilously close to the precipice, any move toward midnight should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning."
The current setting reflects the compounded effects of geopolitical conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, growing nuclear stockpiles, climate inaction and advancements in artificial intelligence being used in military applications.
What Happens When The Doomsday Clock Hits Midnight?
Midnight on the Doomsday Clock symbolizes global catastrophe, such as nuclear war or environmental collapse. It is not meant to predict a specific event but to highlight existing risks' severity and potential consequences. In the words of the Bulletin, "Midnight represents the end of civilization as we know it."
Holz has described the metaphorical meaning of the clock, emphasizing the need for immediate action to reverse these trends. "When you are at this precipice, the one thing you don't want to do is take a step forward," he warned.
Is The Doomsday Clock Accurate?
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic measure rather than a precise scientific calculation. While it captures the attention of policymakers and the public, critics have debated its value. Steve Goldstein, European bureau chief for MarketWatch, called it "statistical nonsense," questioning its basis and adding, "By now, given the probabilities it assigns, we should all be dead."
Others argue its value lies in its ability to foster dialogue about existential risks.
"The design is a metaphor that warns the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making, and the discussion points the public to the underlying issues driving that threat and the solutions to combat them," Bronson told Newsweek.
What People Are Saying
Andrey Baklitskiy, a senior researcher of weapons of mass destruction at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, on X, formerly Twitter: "The Doomsday Clock was moved forward to 89 seconds to midnight. So in the last year, we got closer to destroying the world by one second? I'm not sure what to do with this information."
Steve Goldstein, the European bureau chief for MarketWatch, on X: "Today is the annual reset of the Doomsday clock which is statistical nonsense. By now, given the probabilities it assigns, we should all be dead."
What Happens Next
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists called on world leaders to collaborate on addressing nuclear proliferation, climate change, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.
"The United States, China, and Russia have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink," the release said. "The world depends on immediate action."
While the clock's setting serves as a dire warning, its creators maintain that it is not immutable. Holz noted that coordinated action to reduce existential risks could move the clock back, averting catastrophe.
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