Editors note: Because many subscribers may be triggered by the Atomic Clock warning ,Court Painter has decided to include a series of jester/clown paintings as an antidote.Enjoy!
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists said on Tuesday (January 23/24) it believes the world is, metaphorically, still 90 seconds away from midnight, or “global catastrophe.”
- It first set the clock at 90 seconds to midnight last year, citing the climate crisis and Russia’s thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons throughout its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
How it works: The clock is the bulletin’s metaphorical depiction of how close it believes the world is to a global collapse based on several factors, though nuclear weapons have been its primary focus since it first appeared in the early days of the Cold War.
Of note: The group said the rise of artificial intelligence is a potential threat. It also warned that AI may be abused to further undermine democratic institutions by magnifying disinformation.
- Additionally, AI paired with new biological technologies, like genetic engineering, may “radically empower individuals to misuse biology,” the bulletin said.
The bottom line: The group said Russia using nuclear weapons in its invasion of Ukraine “remains a serious possibility.” It pointed out Russia’s transfer of nuclear weapons to Belarus last year and threats made by advisors to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Another major cause for concern is new nuclear weapon spending by the U.S., China and Russia. It could trigger a three-way nuclear arms race as each nation seeks to surpass others in nuclear capabilities, the group warned.
- The continued erosion of a nuclear reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russia and a global ban on new nuclear weapons tests also heighten the threat of nuclear weapons, the bulletin said.
- It added the continued nuclear pursuits by Iran and North Korea and nuclear expansion in Pakistan and India have also contributed to the growing threat.
Selected from Source: AXIOS January 23/24
