The Doomsday Clock is now at 85 Seconds To Midnight as AI and Climate Threats Grow
Scientists from The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists have moved the Doomsday Clock to its closest point to human "catastrophe" in the nonprofit's history.

On January 27, 2026, the "Doomsday Clock" was set at just 85 seconds to midnight. This is the grimmest outlook to date from the nonprofit known as The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Every year since 1947, scientists on the Bulletin's Science and Security Board have looked at the threats facing humanity on Earth. Using those threats, they determine how close humankind is to destroying the world.
Major Threats Growing in 2026
Last year, the board placed the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds to midnight. This year, they shaved off another 4 seconds, bringing humanity closer to "catastrophe". Over the last four years, the board has moved the clock closer to midnight three times.
The 2026 Doomsday Clock announcement, captured by photographer Jamie Christiani.
— Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (@BulletinAtomic) January 27, 2026
IT IS 85 SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT.
Watch the 2026 Doomsday Clock announcement: https://t.co/KfwWsVAw1g pic.twitter.com/ru8KjaOAhl
“The Doomsday Clock’s message cannot be clearer. Catastrophic risks are on the rise, cooperation is on the decline, and we are running out of time. Change is both necessary and possible, but the global community must demand swift action from their leaders,” said the president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Alexandra Bell, in a press release.
The number of nuclear weapons in China increased over the last year, and countries such as the United States and Russia have been modernizing and enhancing their delivery systems.
Climate Change Still At The Forefront
Over the last few years, the Atomic Scientists have noted that climate change continues to be one of the biggest threats to the planet. As the planet continues to warm, more temperature records are broken, and the hydrological cycle becomes more erratic. Over the last few years, increased numbers of heatwaves, droughts and record rainfall events have impacted millions of people across the globe.
They state that the response to the threat of climate change has been "profoundly destructive". And they singled out the Trump administration, noting that they have "essentially declared war on renewable energy and sensible climate policies, relentlessly gutting national efforts to combat climate change".
Artificial Intelligence Threat Growing
Artificial intelligence was another factor they noted, particularly when it comes to decreased safeguards and increased usage.
As usage continues to grow and funding to universities decreases, worries grow about the ability to mitigate the risks of AI.
Turning The Clock Back
The Atomic Scientists stress that the clock can be turned back if countries and nations work together. They cite that a rise of "nationalistic autocracy" has led to competition, not cooperation, splintering the world into "us versus them". This is something they stress needs to be reversed.
Critics of the "Doomsday Clock" say that the continued warnings of complete annihilation could be dismissed by the public, and that the factors taken into account to determine the time are skewed.
News Reference
It Is Now 85 Seconds To Midnight. Science and Security Board Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists