What is the Doomsday Clock? Scientists set to make end of world prediction for 2026 | World | News
The Doomsday Clock 2026 announcement is set to take place on Tuesday. The annual event sees leading scientists reveal how close they believe humanity is to global catastrophe, with midnight symbolising disaster for civilisation.
The symbolic clock has become one of the world’s most recognised measures of global risk, often used to reflect political instability, conflict and technological change. With wars continuing and tensions rising across the globe, many will be watching closely to see whether the clock is moved closer to midnight.
The announcement will be made during a live press conference watched around the world.
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What is the Doomsday Clock?
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic measure of how close scientists believe humanity is to global catastrophe, with midnight representing disaster for civilisation.
The closer the clock is to midnight, the greater the perceived threat to the future of the world.
It is not a literal countdown, but a way of communicating complex global risks in a simple and striking format.
The clock reflects concerns about issues such as nuclear war, climate change, pandemics and emerging technologies, and is designed to warn the public and world leaders about the dangers facing humanity.
Who sets the Doomsday Clock?
The Doomsday Clock is set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a non-profit organisation founded by researchers involved in the development of nuclear weapons.
Its Science and Security Board includes experts in global security, climate science and emerging technologies, and they also consult with Nobel Prize-winning scientists.
The group reviews major world events before deciding whether the clock should move closer to or further away from midnight.
What was the Doomsday Clock set at in 2025?
In 2025, the Doomsday Clock was set at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been since it was first created in 1947.
Scientists said the decision reflected growing global instability, nuclear risks, climate change and concerns around emerging technologies.
At the time, experts warned the world was facing an “unprecedented” level of danger.
When was the Doomsday Clock created and why?
The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947, in the aftermath of the Second World War and the development of nuclear weapons.
It was designed by scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project and wanted to warn the public and world leaders about the dangers of atomic technology.
The clock was created as a simple visual symbol to communicate the risk of global destruction and encourage action to prevent future catastrophes.
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What factors influence the Doomsday clock?
Scientists take into account a wide range of global risks, including:
Climate change, such as extreme weather and environmental collapse
Pandemics and biological threats, including new and emerging diseases
Political instability and conflict, across different regions of the world
Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and cyber risks
They also assess how effectively world leaders are responding to these threats.
What time is the Doomsday Clock announcement and how is it revealed?
The Doomsday Clock announcement takes place at 3pm UK time (10am Eastern Time).
The new time is revealed during a live press conference held by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
The event is streamed online, with scientists explaining the reasons behind the latest setting and answering questions from the media.
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists memhers during their Doomsday Clock event in 2018 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Where can I watch the Doomsday Clock announcement?
The Doomsday Clock announcement is being streamed live on the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ website.
It is also available to watch on the organisation’s official YouTube channel.
The live press conference begins at 3pm UK time.
