Abstract: Advances in atomic magnetometry have recently yielded sensors rivaling and even surpassing the sensitivity of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) without requiring cryogenics. In this talk I will discuss the principles underlying ultra-sensitive atomic magnetometry and some of the emerging applications which include tests of fundamental symmetries, geophysical exploration and detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Detection of NMR with an atomic magnetometer appears to be a particularly attractive application because the detection sensitivity is independent of magnetic field, in contrast to conventional inductive detection. This reduces the need for large magnetic fields and opens up the possibility for portable magnetic