Doomsday Clock at 85 Seconds to Midnight, the Closest Call Yet

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced the Doomsday Clock is now 85 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been—citing a 'failure of leadership' and rising global risks from nuclear weapons, climate change, biotech threats, and rapid AI advances. The clock, updated annually by the SASB, reflects whether humanity is safer this year than last and than it was 78 years ago. Recent history shows the clock hovering near 89–90 seconds, with the 2023–2024 slate at 90 seconds and 2025 at 89 seconds. To move the hands away from midnight, experts urge renewed nuclear-arms talks, stronger biosecurity measures, accelerated renewable energy adoption, and meaningful AI governance for military use.