The Doomsday Clock is maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a group of scientists and security experts based in Chicago.
The Bulletin established the clock in 1947 as a visual representation of the threat of global nuclear war. The clock's hands are moved forward or backward by the Bulletin's Science and Security Board, which comprises leading experts in various fields, including nuclear weapons, climate change, and emerging technologies.
The Board considers a range of factors when setting the time, including:
- Nuclear proliferation: The spread of nuclear weapons and the potential for new actors to acquire them.
- Nuclear weapons modernization: The development of new and more powerful nuclear weapons.
- Climate change: The increasing risks posed by climate change, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and mass displacement.
- Emerging technologies: The potential for new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, to be used for destructive purposes.
The Doomsday Clock is not a scientific prediction but rather a symbolic representation of humanity's proximity to global catastrophe. The Board's decisions are based on a careful analysis of the current global security landscape.
