The clock, which has been in use for seven decades, was created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1947 amid Cold War nuclear tensions – and is seen as “a globally recognized indicator of the world's vulnerability to global catastrophe caused by man-made technologies”. “, the group said Tuesday.
“Make no mistake: Resetting the clock at 90 seconds to midnight is not an indication that the world is stable. The year after Russia’s war in Ukraine led to the same dire predictions in 2023,” Rachel Bronson, the company’s CEO, said in a statement, a year after Russia’s war in Ukraine led to the same dire forecasts in 2023. on the contrary”. “It is essential that governments and communities around the world take action.”
This year, the Chicago-based nonprofit focused in part on the rise of artificial intelligence, saying in a statement that cutting-edge chatbots like ChatGPT “have led some respected experts to express concern about the existential risks arising from more rapid advances in the field.” She called for greater global governance of what she called “disruptive technology.”
She also said that AI has “significant potential to amplify disinformation and corrupt the information environment on which democracy depends,” as well as exacerbate misinformation on topics such as nuclear risks, pandemics and climate change.
“Military uses of artificial intelligence are accelerating,” she added. “Widespread use of AI is already occurring in the areas of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, simulation and training. Of particular concern are lethal autonomous weapons, which identify and destroy targets without human intervention.
Other threats cited by nuclear scientists include deteriorating nuclear arms reduction agreements as well as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The war between Israel and Gaza has left tens of thousands dead, according to authorities in both places, and the conflict threatens to spill over into the region.
She added that the Earth also experienced the hottest year on record in 2023, along with devastating floods, wildfires and extreme weather affecting millions of people globally, which contributed to her decision.
Former California Governor and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Jerry Brown, likens the situation to being on board the ill-fated Titanic.
“Leaders are pointing the world toward disaster — more nuclear bombs, massive carbon emissions, dangerous pathogens, and artificial intelligence,” Brown said. “Only major powers like China, America and Russia can pull us back. Despite deep animosities, they must cooperate, otherwise we are doomed.” The Bulletin makes its annual decisions in consultation with its Board of Patrons, which includes many Nobel laureates.
The clock was set to two minutes to midnight in 2019, and 100 seconds to midnight in 2022. The furthest from “midnight” was the clock in 1991, when it was set back to 17 minutes after the Cold War was officially declared over.
“It's time to act,” said science teacher Bill Nye, who participated in the 2024 announcement.
“For decades, scientists have been warning us about the dangers facing humanity. We could face catastrophe unless we manage the technologies we have created better,” Nye said.
Some have criticized the watch as fear-inducing or questioned its usefulness. In a 2015 article, an Oxford University researcher questioned global 24-hour catastrophic risk as a measure of “actual risk,” writing that it was a reflection of a “strong sense of urgency” about risk among the team running it.
The group said there is always hope to prevent despair. “The clock can be turned back,” the bulletin said. She added that she felt particularly “inspired” in seeing younger generations leading the charge.
“They added that every person on Earth has an interest in reducing the likelihood of a global catastrophe. The group also pointed to the leaders of the United States, China and Russia as global powers “to bear responsibility for the existential danger the world now faces.” They have the power to lift the world from the brink of disaster. They must do so clearly, courageously and without delay.”
