The 2026 Doomsday Clock has been set to eighty-five seconds before the symbolic hour of midnight. This is the closest the Clock has ever been to midnight in its history.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board (SASB), which sets the Clock, called for urgent action to limit nuclear arsenals, create international guidelines on the use of AI, and form multilateral agreements to address global biological threats.
Rising Tensions Among Major Nations
Major world powers like Russia, China, and the United States have become more aggressive. They have also adopted more nationalistic stances over the past calendar year. These geopolitical tensions weaken international cooperation. This cooperation is crucial to manage nuclear arsenals. It is also essential to address rapidly growing threats from artificial intelligence. Scientists note that the clock moved forward from eighty-nine seconds in 2025 to its current precarious position of eighty-five seconds today.
The Threat of Nationalistic Autocracies
Professor Daniel Holz warns about the rise of nationalistic autocracies. This creates a dangerous “us versus them” mentality across the global stage. This fragmentation makes it nearly impossible for countries to build the trust required. Trust is essential to solve shared existential challenges like the climate crisis. Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa describes our current era as an “information Armageddon.” In this era, predatory technology spreads lies faster than factual news. She argues that without a shared reality based on truth, radical collaboration is impossible. This collaboration is needed to address nuclear risks.
Restoring Nuclear Diplomacy and Stability
The United States and Russia should immediately resume dialogue. They need to discuss limiting nuclear arsenals. This is necessary to prevent a disastrous global arms race from continuing. All nuclear-armed states must avoid destabilizing investments in missile defense systems. They must also observe the existing moratorium on explosive nuclear testing worldwide. Moreover, leaders from the United States, Russia, and China must engage in dialogue regarding the safe incorporation of AI in military systems.
Managing the Risks of Disruptive Technologies
Furthermore, international communities must cooperate on meaningful measures to reduce the prospect that artificial intelligence will be used to create biological threats . Global leaders should establish multilateral agreements and national regulations to prevent the creation of mirror life within the biotechnology sector immediately . Consequently, revoking AI safety initiatives reflects a dangerous approach to development that could erode the ability of universities to find effective solutions .
Addressing Climate Change and Fossil Fuel Use
The United States Congress can support the planet by providing incentives and investments that will enable a rapid reduction in fossil fuels . Additionally, lawmakers must repudiate the ongoing war on renewable energy to ensure that humanity can successfully navigate the current global climate crisis .
A Call for Global Leadership
The Bulletin warns that many global leaders have grown complacent while adopting rhetoric and policies that accelerate rather than mitigate dangerous risks. International leaders must work together to create multilateral agreements that address biological threats and the misuse of increasingly powerful biotechnology tools. Change is both necessary and possible, but the global community must demand swift action from their leaders to reverse these trends.
Q&A Section
Question 1: What are the primary reasons why the 2026 Doomsday Clock has moved even closer to the symbolic hour of midnight this year?
Answer: The factors include growing nuclear weapon threats, disruptive artificial intelligence, multiple biological security concerns, and the continuing global crisis regarding the climate.
Question 2: How does the rise of nationalistic autocracies impact the ability of the international community to solve these urgent existential global problems?
Answer: Nationalistic autocracies create a world of “us versus them,” which destroys the international trust and cooperation needed to address shared humanity risks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is responsible for setting the time on the Doomsday Clock and what role do Nobel Laureates play in this process?
The Bulletin’s Science and Security Board sets the time annually in consultation with a Board of Sponsors that includes eight Nobel Laureates.
What was the previous setting of the Doomsday Clock and when did the most recent change in time take place?
The clock was set at eighty-nine seconds to midnight in January 2025 before moving to eighty-five seconds in the year 2026.
What does Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa mean when she describes the current global situation as an intense “information Armageddon” for humanity?
She refers to predatory technologies that spread lies faster than facts, making it impossible for nations to agree on a shared reality.
