‘Doomsday Clock’ calls AI existential threat, “disruptive technology” to humankind

AI joins nuclear threats and climate change as a key concern on the Doomsday Clock, highlighting its potential global impact and risks.

The infamous “Doomsday Clock” was updated on Jan. 23 by atomic scientists to reflect the planet’s imminent danger, set only 90 seconds from midnight due to an array of factors, including artificial intelligence (AI). 

The clock is set based on “existential risks” to the planet and humankind, which include nuclear threats, climate change and disruptive technologies. Midnight on the clock represents an “apocalyptic” state, therefore the 90 mark was deemed this year as, “a moment of historic danger.”

Today, the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board once again sets the #DoomsdayClock at 90 seconds to midnight.

Humanity continues to face an unprecedented level of danger.

Read the full statement: https://t.co/PowB7RkzXw pic.twitter.com/aRyF2ZX3wB

— Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (@BulletinAtomic) January 23, 2024

The Bulletin was founded in 1945 by scientists including Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer.

AI was added as a new concern after its explosive entrance into mainstream society in 2023. The issuer of the Doomsday Clock, the scientific journal The Bulletin, called the technology the “most significant development” in the disruptive technology space.

“It is clear that AI is a paradigmatic disruptive technology. Any physical threat posed by AI must be enabled by a link to devices that can change the state of the physical world.”

It mentions corruption of information, enabled by AI as a potentially important factor in preventing the world from dealing with other urgent threats, along with AI increasingly being used by the military and information operations.

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The paper points out that many countries have already started to recognize the concerns and have begun to take steps to regulate and minimize the harmful impact of the technology.

In August of 2023, China became the first country to issue effective regulations for AI. Later in December 2023, the European Union passed its own provisional regulations on AI, which member states will then choose to adopt.

The United States, which has emerged as a hub for AI development over the last year, has yet to pass any official law. In October 2023, President Joe Biden issued an executive order that established six new standards for AI safety and security.

Nonetheless, The Bulletin also pointed out that AI and other information technologies have also been a cause for acceleration of the ability of authoritarian regimes to monitor citizens’ activities and liberties. 

Concerns have also been raised over AI’s ability to impact political elections via fake news and information manipulation ahead of a major global election season in 2024.