Business & Technology
Locai Labs deploys AI coding assistant at First Light Fusion
Locai Labs has signed a contract with First Light Fusion to supply and deploy a domain-specific large language model for use as an AI coding assistant by First Light Fusion’s science and engineering teams.
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the two UK companies earlier this year.
The model was trained on First Light Fusion’s scientific and engineering workflows using Locai Labs’ proprietary Forget-Me-Not framework. It has been installed on First Light Fusion’s secure computing infrastructure in Oxford, keeping proprietary data and intellectual property within the company’s existing systems.
First Light Fusion works on inertial fusion energy and has also developed machine learning simulation tools for its research. The coding assistant is intended to support work across its science and engineering operations, where specialist software and technical workflows are part of day-to-day development.
The contract also provides for ongoing updates. Under the project plan, the system will undergo two full retraining cycles each year to reflect changes in First Light Fusion’s research activity.
Secure environment
A central feature of the deployment is that the model runs inside First Light Fusion’s own environment rather than through an external service. It has been deployed on secure, air-gapped computing infrastructure designed to isolate sensitive information from outside networks.
That arrangement reflects the sensitivity of data involved in fusion research, where simulation work, experimental results and engineering designs can form part of a company’s intellectual property. By keeping the model within its own systems, First Light Fusion aims to use AI tools without moving research data outside its direct control.
Locai Labs describes itself as a UK artificial intelligence company focused on foundational models. Its Forget-Me-Not method is used to adapt models for specific tasks and organisations, in this case to meet the specialist requirements of fusion energy research rather than general software development.
The contract gives Locai Labs a role in one of the UK’s more technically demanding industrial research fields. Fusion companies increasingly rely on simulation, modelling and data analysis to shorten development timelines and improve experimental design, creating a potential market for tailored AI systems that can operate in secure research settings.
First Light Fusion was founded as a spin-out from the University of Oxford and has focused on technologies linked to inertial fusion energy, defence applications and materials science research. Its infrastructure includes what it describes as Europe’s largest pulsed power facility and the UK’s largest two-stage gas gun.
It has also outlined a strategy called FLARE, which it presents as a route towards commercial inertial fusion energy. The latest agreement suggests the company is also investing in software and internal research tools as it develops that broader technical programme.
Industry context
For Locai Labs, the contract provides a reference point for applying domain-specific language models to industrial and scientific work. Rather than offering a general chatbot, it has supplied a model trained on a single customer’s internal workflows and hosted within that customer’s secure estate.
Mark Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of First Light Fusion, said: “We’ve been impressed by the quality and speed of the work delivered by Locai Labs. From initial planning to the final deployment on our air-gapped system, their team demonstrated a deep understanding of our needs and a commitment to excellence which aligns with our own mission. This AI coding assistant is already proving to be a valuable asset.”
James Drayson, Chief Executive Officer of Locai Labs, said: “This collaboration is a powerful example of how UK-developed foundational AI can be applied to accelerate UK scientific research and industrialisation. It’s a privilege to support such an innovative and mission-driven company.”
Nisa Local, which first opened in Botley Road in November, can now be extended after a Planning Inspector overturned Oxford City Council’s rejection.
The proposal is for a steel security shutter and a single-storey rear extension, which would provide more space for new services such as an Evri and two more Cook frozen meal freezers.
The Costa Coffee self-service machine is hoped to be on the front of the shop and will provide more floor space for Bake & Bite and the Oxford-based Natural Bread Company.
Oxford City Council refused permission in March arguing the extension would harm the character and appearance of the property.
However, planning inspector Alexander O’Doherty concluded the impact on the wider area would be limited because the extension would be largely hidden at the rear from public view.
In his decision issued on July 23, the inspector acknowledged that the extension would have some harmful effect on the appearance of the building itself, but said the benefits outweighed that harm.
The inspector noted the shop is “clearly lacking in storage space” and said the additional floor area would help it better serve local residents.
The decision also referenced numerous representations from supporters, with the inspector saying these lent “considerable credence” to the benefits of the scheme.
He added that providing these services within a residential area would encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport by reducing the need for residents to travel elsewhere by car.
Grumpys Sweet Shop in Fettiplace Road, which operated as a cafe and collectibles shop until it became a sweet shop in 2023, has announced it will close by the end of August.
A statement from the team behind the shop said the ‘difficult decision’ was taken with a ‘heavy heart’.
The final day trading would be Friday, August 28.
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The statement said: “This hasn’t been a decision we’ve taken lightly.
“Like so many families and small businesses, we’ve felt the impact of the rising cost of living, and the increasing costs of running a business have made things more challenging than ever.
“On top of that, our current lease has came to an end.
“Renewing it would mean committing to another seven years, and after a great deal of thought, we’ve decided that this is the right time for us to close this chapter.
“While we’re incredibly sad to say goodbye, we’d love to see as many of you as possible before we close.
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“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making Grumpy’s Sweet Shop so much more than just a business.
“You turned it into a place filled with smiles, laughter, and wonderful memories that we’ll treasure forever.”
The owners added that ‘everything you see in the shop’ is now for sale, and offers will be considered for all fittings and displays.
The dispute that halted the much-anticipated introduction of new trains to Milton Keynes looked to be coming to be coming to an end.
The Government has been pushing for ‘Driver-Controlled’ or ‘Driver-Only Operation’—a cost-saving method introduced widely on London commuter lines in the 1980s, a move widely condemned by trade unions.
The Department for Transport’s (DfT) plan for trains to be staffed by a driver and a customer service inspector seemed to solve the dispute.
But this did not meet the The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)’s demands.
The union has been opposing plans to use driver-only trains between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central.
Although the line between Bicester and Bletchley has technically been open since 2024, it has only been used by freight, charter, and test trains.
Chiltern Railways was chosen as the operator and has been advertising for customer service inspectors, instead of guards.
However, these inspectors would not be considered ‘safety-critical,’ meaning the driver would be responsible for opening and closing the doors.
Chiltern Railways stated it has made significant progress in preparing for the line to open to scheduled passenger trains, but no date has been announced.
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The company said it is continuing to work closely with the The Department for Transport, trade unions, and industry partners.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers general secretary Eddie Dempsey insisted on the necessity of a guaranteed safety-critical second person aboard trains, citing their essential role in handling a wide range of duties and responding appropriately to ‘dangerous and fast-moving’ situations.
He said: “We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that East West Rail services will not be Driver Only Operation and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be guaranteed.”
Chiltern Railways is set to be renationalised on September 20, when it will be taken over by DfT Operator in preparation for Great British Railways.
45 drivers have been recruited for the new service, but no guards.
The project delays have already taken a significant financial toll.
Six two-carriage trains have accumulated £2.6m in costs due to delays in their lease.
Currently idle in a Bletchley depot, these units are costing the Department for Transport money without generating any fare income.
The Government previously said trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes are being lined up to appear in the December rail timetable.
In a written statement, rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Chiltern worked with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and other operators on the December 2026 timetable and services have been timetabled between Oxford, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes.”
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