The Doomsday Clock has finally unveiled once again this year and it is staying at 90 seconds until midnight, or the total annihilation of humanity.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, the group responsible for the project, stated that the Clock will remain at the same position as last year's due to "amplified concern" that emerged last year.
Among the reasons cited for the decision include the rising nuclear threat in the Russia-Ukraine war, the ethnic cleansing in Gaza, worsening climate disasters, and the dangers of generative AI.
The Clock was adjusted first adjusted to 90 seconds from 100 in 2021 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the closest it has ever been.
Bulletin CEO Rachel Bronson said the clock can only adjusted back if world leaders, particularly the US, China, and Russia, started working together.
The Doomsday Clock was first invented by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in 1947, the same scientist who invented the nuclear bomb.
Nations Call for Nuclear Arms Control
The release of this year's Doomsday Clock signals calls for nuclear arms control as nations stock up more weapons of mass destruction.
According to Federation of American Scientists, a total of 12,500 nuclear warheads are currently in possession, 2,000 of which are "on alert" and ready to be deployed at moment's notice.
Russia is currently leading with 5,889, closely followed by the US with 5,224 warheads.
Even Israel, which is currently waging war on Palestinians at the Gaza strip, has been categorized with "stable warhead supplies."
It is uncertain if the country has increased its arsenal following the conflict and support from Western countries, the same decision Russia made in its war against Ukraine.
Sophisticated Chatbots Poses 'Existential Risks' to Society
Another point raised during the unveiling was the emerging threats posed by sophisticated AIs like ChatGPT to "magnify disinformation and corrupt the information environment on which democracy depends."
The group also cited the increasing application of the technology on military weapons, as well as for surveillance and simulations.
The Chicago-based non-profit organization is now urging world leaders to provide clear regulations for what it calls "disruptive technology" soon.
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