Doomsday Clock
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' symbolic clock representing how close humanity is to catastrophic destruction.
The clock reads 11:58:31 — 89 seconds to midnight
What Is the Doomsday Clock?
The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a group founded by Manhattan Project researchers who helped develop the first nuclear weapons. The clock is a symbol of how close humanity stands to catastrophic destruction — represented as “midnight.”
The clock's position is set annually by the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, which includes Nobel laureates and leading experts in nuclear policy, climate science, and emerging technologies.
Originally focused solely on nuclear weapons, the clock now considers a broader range of existential threats: nuclear risk, climate change, disruptive technologies (including AI), and biosecurity threats.
Clock Position Over Time
Minutes to midnight, 1947 – 2025. Lower means closer to catastrophe.
Complete Timeline
What the Scientists Consider
Nuclear Weapons Risk
The original and primary concern. Over 12,000 nuclear warheads still exist worldwide. Modernization programs, destabilizing doctrines, and regional conflicts keep this threat at the forefront.
Climate Change
Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and ecosystem collapse threaten billions. Carbon emissions continue to rise despite international pledges.
Disruptive Technologies
Artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, cyber warfare, and hypersonic missiles create new vectors for catastrophic miscalculation and escalation.
Biosecurity Threats
Pandemic preparedness gaps, dual-use biological research, and the potential for engineered pathogens pose growing existential risks.
What Can Be Done
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists recommends several key actions to move the clock hands further from midnight:
- •Negotiate and ratify new arms control agreements to reduce nuclear arsenals and prevent proliferation.
- •Dramatically accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to meet Paris Agreement climate targets.
- •Establish international governance frameworks for artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, and other disruptive technologies.
- •Strengthen global biosecurity protocols and pandemic preparedness, including oversight of dual-use biological research.
- •Restore and strengthen diplomatic channels between nuclear-armed states to reduce the risk of miscalculation.
Disclaimer: The Doomsday Clock is a symbol, not a scientific instrument. It represents the judgment of leading scientists about existential threats to humanity. The clock's position is set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board and does not predict specific events.