Tech workers who don't embrace AI face triple the layoff risk: Gallup study

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 18, 2026 | Technology

By Jo Constantz

For tech workers, artificial intelligence may be delivering a benefit that goes beyond efficiency: a lower risk of being laid off.

New research from Gallup finds that tech workers who aren’t regular AI users are three times more likely to lose their jobs than their peers. Among US tech workers who use AI at least monthly, the predicted probability of being laid off is about 6 per cent, compared with 18 per cent for workers who use the technology less often.

The estimates are based on survey data in February involving more than 23,000 US workers, including 660 respondents who reported being unemployed after their jobs were eliminated. Gallup collected data on how often employed and displaced workers used AI — from daily to not at all — and then used a statistical model to estimate how factors such as AI-use frequency and industry were associated with the likelihood of job loss.

Outside the tech industry, infrequent AI users also face a higher layoff risk than their peers, Gallup said, though the gap is smaller. The link between AI use and job security held even after accounting for factors such as age, education, and the sector in which one works, according to the researchers, suggesting that employees who don’t use AI are “more vulnerable in the job market.”

The findings also indicate that AI adoption is becoming a fault line inside companies, one that’s increasingly affecting individual careers. Employers are already screening candidates for a certain level of AI fluency, and the Gallup report suggests the technology may also be influencing which workers companies choose to retain when they downsize. Meanwhile, executives continue to press employees to use AI, even as public perceptions of the technology have soured and concerns about job losses have intensified.

Even so, only about 1 per cent of laid-off workers attributed their job loss directly to AI. The most commonly cited reasons were more general, including organisational restructuring, cost-cutting and economic conditions. The data point may “understate AI’s indirect influence” in companies’ layoff decisions, the researchers said.

“That surprised me the most,” said Jim Harter, chief scientist for Gallup’s workplace management and wellbeing practices. “They didn’t just blame AI.”

That leaves a disconnect between how workers and executives explain layoffs. AI was the top reason companies cited for job cuts last month, accounting for about 40 per cent of such announcements, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

How AI factors into job cut deliberations remains an open question, Harter said. It’s possible that workers who use the technology more frequently are simply able to get more done than their peers. Or employers may be paying attention to how often workers use AI — for example, how many times they prompt a chatbot in a given week.

“I don’t think that’s the right direction,” Harter said. Tying performance evaluations to AI usage could encourage employees to overuse the tools in an effort to game the system. “The real bottom line is: Are they more productive?”

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जंग लगे चाकू से खाना बनाकर आपकी सेहत से खिलवाड़ कर रहे रेस्तरां, FSSAI ने जारी की एडवायजरी

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 18, 2026 | Health

आजकल बाहर खाना खाना हमारी जिंदगी का एक अहम हिस्सा बन गया है. वीकेंड हो, कोई छुट्टी हो या फिर ऑफिस के बाद की थकान, हम अक्सर अपने परिवार या दोस्तों के साथ किसी होटल, रेस्टोरेंट या ढाबे पर खाना खाने निकल जाते हैं. जब हम किसी रेस्टोरेंट में जाते हैं तो वहां की सजावट, एसी की हवा और साफ-सुथरी टेबल देखकर खुश हो जाते हैं. क्या आपने कभी सोचा है कि जिस किचन में आपका खाना बन रहा है, वहां कितनी साफ-सफाई है?

हाल ही में भारत की खाद्य सुरक्षा एजेंसी FSSAI (फूड सेफ्टी एंड स्टैंडर्ड्स अथॉरिटी ऑफ इंडिया) ने ऐसा खुलासा किया है, जिसे जानकर आप हैरान रह जाएंगे. यह खबर उन सभी लोगों के लिए बहुत जरूरी है, जो अक्सर बाहर का खाना खाते हैं.

किचन के अंदर का छिपा हुआ सच

FSSAI की टीम ने देश के कई होटलों, ढाबों और फूड स्टॉल्स की जांच की. इस जांच में डराने वाली बात सामने आई. अधिकारियों ने पाया कि कई जगहों पर खाना बनाने और सब्जियां काटने के लिए ऐसे चाकू और ब्लेड का इस्तेमाल किया जा रहा था, जो पूरी तरह से खराब हो चुके थे. किचन में ऐसे चाकू मिले, जिनमें जंग लगा था. कई चाकू बीच से टूटे हुए थे, उनके किनारे घिस चुके थे और कुछ चाकू के हैंडल का पेंट निकलकर खाने में गिर रहा था. बाहर से चमचमाते होटलों के किचन में जब यह हाल देखा गया तो खाद्य विभाग तुरंत हरकत में आ गया.

15 जून 2026 को जारी हुई सख्त एडवाइजरी

इस गंभीर लापरवाही को देखते हुए FSSAI ने 15 जून 2026 को पूरे देश के सभी फूड बिजनेस के लिए बेहद सख्त एडवाइजरी जारी कर दी. विभाग ने साफ कर दिया है कि लोगों की सेहत के साथ किसी भी तरह का खिलवाड़ बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जाएगा.

जंग लगे और टूटे चाकू से क्या है खतरा?

शायद आप सोचें कि चाकू में थोड़ी सी जंग लगने या उसके टूटे होने से क्या फर्क पड़ता है? साइंस और डॉक्टरों के मुताबिक, यह आपकी सेहत के लिए बहुत बड़ा खतरा है.

जंग का पेट में जाना: जब जंग लगे चाकू से सब्जियां या मीट काटा जाता है तो लोहे के जंग के छोटे-छोटे कण कटकर खाने में मिल जाते हैं. यह खाना जब हमारे पेट में जाता है तो इससे पेट में इंफेक्शन, दर्द और कई गंभीर बीमारियां हो सकती हैं.
बैक्टीरिया का घर: जो चाकू टूटे हुए होते हैं या जिनमें दरारें आ जाती हैं. उन दरारों के अंदर खाने के छोटे टुकड़े फंस जाते हैं. इन्हें चाहे जितना धो लिया जाए, ये पूरी तरह साफ नहीं होते. इन दरारों में खतरनाक बैक्टीरिया पनपने लगते हैं, जो हर बार कटने वाले नए खाने में मिल जाते हैं. इससे आपको फूड पॉइजनिंग हो सकती है.
केमिकल का खतरा: जिन चाकू पर घटिया पेंट या कोटिंग होती है, वह पेंट समय के साथ उखड़ने लगता है. यह पेंट केमिकल से बना होता है, जो सीधे आपके सलाद या सब्जी के जरिए आपके शरीर में पहुंच जाता है.

FSSAI के नए और सख्त नियम

इस खतरे को हमेशा के लिए खत्म करने के लिए FSSAI ने सभी ढाबा और रेस्टोरेंट मालिकों को कुछ कड़े निर्देश दिए हैं, जिनका पालन करना अब अनिवार्य हो गया है.

सिर्फ फूड-ग्रेड चाकू का इस्तेमाल: अब किचन में केवल हाई क्वालिटी वाले (फूड-ग्रेड) और जंग-रोधी स्टेनलेस स्टील के चाकू ही इस्तेमाल किए जा सकेंगे.
खराब चाकू को तुरंत फेंकना: अगर किसी भी चाकू में थोड़ा-सा भी जंग लगा है, उसका हैंडल टूटा है या उसकी धार कटी-फटी है तो उसे तुरंत किचन से बाहर करना होगा.
नियमित सफाई जरूरी: सभी कटिंग उपकरणों और चाकू को हर इस्तेमाल के बाद अच्छे से धोना और साफ रखना होगा. उन्हें ऐसी जगह रखना होगा, जहां उन पर नमी न आए.

नियम तोड़ा तो होगी कड़ी कार्रवाई

FSSAI ने सभी राज्यों के फूड सेफ्टी अफसरों को आदेश दिया है कि वे अपनी नियमित चेकिंग के दौरान अब सिर्फ बर्तन और एक्सपायरी डेट ही नहीं देखेंगे, बल्कि किचन में इस्तेमाल हो रहे चाकू की भी बारीकी से जांच करेंगे. अगर किसी भी होटल, रेस्टोरेंट या सड़क किनारे लगे ठेले पर खराब या जंग लगा चाकू मिला तो उस पर फूड सेफ्टी एंड स्टैंडर्ड्स एक्ट के तहत भारी जुर्माना लगाया जा सकता है. बार-बार गलती दोहराने पर रेस्टोरेंट का लाइसेंस भी रद्द किया जा सकता है.

ये भी पढ़ें: बुजुर्गों के खाने के लिए बेस्ट हैं ये पांच मछलियां, एनर्जी के साथ सेहत में भी होगा तेजी से सुधार

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FSSAI directs FBOs to ensure corrosion free knives usage for food preparation

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 18, 2026 | Business

It pointed out that the regulations prescribe that equipment, utensils and food-contact surfaces used in food handling, preparation, processing, packaging and storage should be made of food-grade, non-toxic, corrosion-resistant materials and shall be maintained in a hygienic condition so as to prevent contamination of food
| Photo Credit:
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed food business operators to ensure only food-grade, corrosion-resistant knives, blades and cutting equipment are used in food handling and processing operations. It has also said that knives, blades and cutting equipment should be maintained in a sound and hygienic condition. It has also asked states food safety commissioners to ensure vigilance in this regard.

“It has been brought to the notice of FSSAI that certain food businesses are using rusted, corroded, chipped, painted, damaged or otherwise unsuitable knives, blades and other cutting equipments during food handling, preparation, processing, cutting, slicing and packaging operations,” it said in an advisory.

“The use of rusted, corroded, chipped, painted, damaged, inadequately cleaned or non-food-grade knives, blades and cutting equipments may result in physical, chemical and microbiological contamination of food and is not in conformity with the sanitary and hygienic requirements,” it added.

It said that non compliance will lead to action again such food business operators. It has also directed state food safety commissioners to maintain strict vigilance during inspections and ensure compliance. “Appropriate action may be initiated in case non-compliance is observed, as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,” the advisory noted

Published on June 18, 2026

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Textile Stocks alert: Gokaldas, Indo Count, Himatsingka, Kitex shares rally up to 6%

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 18, 2026 | Share Market

Textile companies share price movement

What’s driving textile stocks?

As per the British High commissioner, the India-UK FTA will come into force from July 15, 2026. The deal has been cleared to come into force after some final trade deals were finalised between both sides. With the FTA coming into force, it provides duty-free access for 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK.

India’s apparel exports to the UK stands at $1.4 billion while home textile exports to the UK is relatively lower at $0.3 billion. India’s share in UK overall apparel imports ($19.84 billion) stands at 7.1 per cent while its share in UK’s home textile imports ($2.6 billion) stands at 10.5 per cent.

India currently pays 12 per cent tariffs on textile exports to both the UK and EU, which will reduce to ‘NIL’ upon implementation of the FTAs. This will place India on par with Bangladesh and Vietnam, while providing a competitive advantage over other major exporters.
According to analysts at ICICI Securities, India’s low labour costs, abundant cotton availability, and recent removal of customs duty on cotton imports further strengthen its cost competitiveness.

Large, integrated textile players with strong quality standards are expected to be key beneficiaries. As per discussions with textile companies, several UK and EU apparel and home textile buyers have already initiated due diligence of Indian manufacturing facilities ahead of shifting orders post-FTA implementation, the brokerage firm said.
READ | HFCL jumps over 4%, nears 52-week high on winning ₹2,666 cr RVNL contract

Accordingly, benefits from the UK FTA are likely to start accruing from FY27, while the impact of the EU FTA should be visible from FY28. Additionally, a potential trade deal with the US involving lower tariffs could further accelerate order inflows, revenue growth and margin expansion.

Under ICICI Securities coverage, companies such as Gokaldas Exports (Europe exposure: 6 per cent), KPR Mill (Europe exposure: 58 per cent), Indo Count Industries and Pearl Global Industries (UK exposure: 4–5 per cent) stand to benefit over the medium to long term.

The textiles and apparel sector remains one of India’s most important export industries and continues to possess a Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) above one, indicating that India remains structurally specialized in textile exports relative to the global average.

The recent trade agreements with the UK, EU, UAE, Australia and New Zealand undoubtedly improve market access for Indian textile exporters and help narrow the tariff advantages historically enjoyed by competitors such as Bangladesh and Vietnam. However, the negative FTA Opportunity Score and the adverse Monte Carlo outcomes suggest that preferential market access alone is unlikely to generate a meaningful improvement in the sector’s export trajectory. While the UK and EU agreements may provide some support through lower tariffs and improved market access, the sector continues to face deeper competitiveness challenges, Yes Securities said in recent report.
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Disclaimer: View and outlook shared on the stock belong to the respective brokerages and are not endorsed by Business Standard. Readers discretion is advised.

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Crude oil futures decline following reports of digitally signed US-Iran interim peace deal

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 18, 2026 | Business

Crude oil futures traded lower on Thursday morning following reports that the US and Iran had digitally signed an interim peace deal to end the war.

At 10.03 am on Thursday, August Brent oil futures were at $77.94, down by 2.02 per cent, and July crude oil futures on WTI (West Texas Intermediate) were at $75, down by 2.33 per cent. June crude oil futures were trading at ₹7078 on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) during the initial hour of trading on Thursday against the previous close of ₹7212, down by 1.86 per cent, and July futures were trading at ₹7034 against the previous close of ₹7158, down by 1.73 per cent.

According to reports, both the US and Iran digitally signed an interim agreement on Wednesday to end their war in West Asia. The deal would help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and waive US sanctions on oil produced in Iran. These moves would help ease global oil supply situation.

International Energy Agency’s Oil Market Report for June said that an interim agreement between the US and Iran to end the war in West Asia could pave the way for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a lifting of a US blockade on Iranian oil traffic. Prices had already retreated from recent highs as market tensions eased on a surge in Gulf exports at the start of June, an acceleration in IEA government stock releases and weaker demand.

If the deal holds, exports and production from the Gulf should see a gradual recovery – not least because Iranian oil exports can fully resume once the US blockade is lifted, the report said, adding, “Overall, global oil supply is expected to fall by 3.9 million barrels a day on average in 2026 to 102.4 million barrels a day.”

The report said that global oil demand is projected to rise by a relatively modest 2 million barrels a day to 105.3 million barrels a day. By contrast, oil supplies look set to surge by around 8 million barrels a day to 110 million barrels a day. This may provide a welcome respite to the market and an opportunity to replenish depleted inventories, or to build new strategic reserves, as countries review their energy strategies and policies in response to the crisis.

Meanwhile, the weekly petroleum status report by the US EIA (Energy Information Administration) showed a decline in crude oil inventories for the week ending June 12.

According to EIA, US commercial crude oil inventories decreased by 8.3 million barrels from the previous week. At 418.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories were about 6 per cent below the five-year average for this time of year.

Total motor gasoline inventories decreased by 0.9 million barrels from last week and were 6 per cent below the five-year average for this time of year. Distillate fuel inventories increased by 1 million barrels last week and were about 13 per cent below the five-year average for this time of year.

Total products supplied in the US over the last four-week period averaged 20.6 million barrels per day, up by 3.3 per cent from the same period last year.

Over the past four weeks, motor gasoline product supplied averaged 8.9 million barrels per day, down by 1.1 per cent from the same period last year. Distillate fuel product supplied averaged 3.7 million barrels per day over the past four weeks, up by 5.5 per cent from the same period last year. Jet fuel product supplied was down 0.2 per cent compared with the same four-week period last year.

June copper futures were trading at ₹1324.30 on MCX during the initial hour of trading on Thursday against the previous close of ₹1338.15, down by 1.04 per cent.

On the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), June guarseed contracts were trading at ₹6082 in the initial hour of trading on Thursday against the previous close of ₹5996, up by 1.43 per cent.

June cottonseed oilcake futures were trading at ₹3710 on NCDEX in the initial hour of trading on Thursday against the previous close of ₹3697, up by 0.35 per cent.

Published on June 18, 2026

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