Scientists from the Bulletin of Nuclear Scientists have moved the "Doomsday Clock" closer than ever to midnight, warning of growing global risks associated with aggressive behavior by nuclear powers, the breakdown of arms control, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the dangers of uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence, reports "Reuters".
The clock now shows 85 seconds to midnight - the theoretical point of global annihilation. That is four seconds closer than last year. The Chicago-based organization created the symbolic clock in 1947, at the beginning of the Cold War, to warn society how close humanity is to self-destruction.
The president and CEO of the publication, nuclear policy expert Alexandra Bell, said that the world is facing a "global failure of leadership". According to her, trends towards neo-imperialism and authoritarian rule only push the hands towards midnight.
Among the key factors, scientists point to the risks of integrating artificial intelligence into military systems without sufficient regulation, its possible misuse in creating biological threats and its role in the spread of disinformation. The climate crisis remains an additional challenge.
"In terms of nuclear risks in 2025, nothing has developed in the right direction," Bell said, highlighting the erosion of diplomatic frameworks, growing concerns about nuclear proliferation and military operations conducted under the guise of nuclear deterrence.
Bell pointed to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, US and Israeli strikes on targets in Iran, tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as risks in Asia - including the Korean Peninsula and China's threats to Taiwan. She also noted increased tensions in the Western Hemisphere since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The last existing strategic arms control treaty between the US and Russia expires on February 5. Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a temporary extension of the restrictions, but Washington has not yet given a formal response. Meanwhile, Trump has ordered the resumption of nuclear testing, something that has not happened in the United States for more than three decades.
The discussion also included Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, who warned of an "information Armageddon" brought about by social media and generative artificial intelligence. According to her, new technologies spread lies faster than verified facts.
The Bulletin of the Nuclear Scientists was founded in 1945 by scientists including Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer, and remains one of the most recognizable voices warning of the existential risks facing humanity.