London and Oxford, UK: Locai Labs Limited, the UK’s foundational AI company, and First Light Fusion, the UK’s inertial fusion energy company and a pioneering leader in machine learning-driven simulation, are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to investigate and identify viable use cases for the application of the Locai AI model for use in high energy density physics and inertial fusion energy research.
Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the two innovative British technology companies will investigate the application of Locai Labs’ advanced foundational AI models to support First Light Fusion’s mission of developing economically transformative fusion energy.
The research will focus on using Locai’s models to enhance and streamline technical workflows, including code development and the investigation of agentic AI systems to boost machine learning simulation productivity. All AI processing will be conducted on First Light Fusion’s secure, air-gapped high-performance computing infrastructure in Oxford, ensuring full control over sensitive data and research environments.
This collaboration aims to increase the speed of scientific progress at First Light Fusion by leveraging a UK sovereign AI model to enhance research workflows, potentially accelerating the journey toward viable fusion power, a critical goal in the global transition to sustainable, clean energy. The trial will also evaluate the platform’s ability to improve productivity in areas such as document management, internal communications, and administrative support, showcasing the productivity potential of homegrown British AI in high-tech industrial settings.
James Drayson, CEO 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. By combining Locai’s sustainable, British-built AI with First Light’s cutting-edge fusion research, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the clean energy future. It’s a privilege to support such an innovative and mission-driven company.”
Mark Thomas, First Light Fusion, CEO added: “First Light Fusion has a strong pedigree in machine learning for solution optimisation, developed over many years and applied to complex problems. Harnessing the power of AI is essential as we scale our fusion programme, deepening our understanding of the underlying physics and accelerating the pace at which we test ideas, refine hypotheses, and move from insight to implementation. We are excited to explore this collaboration with Locai Labs, a fellow UK innovator, through a controlled trial of its AI assistant in part of our operations. This is British science and technology working hand-in-hand for a sustainable future.”
The MoU establishes a framework for the two companies to conduct technical feasibility studies and define the scope for a potential long-term collaboration. A joint working group has been formed to oversee the initial phases of the collaboration.
ENDS
Editors Notes:
About Locai Labs Limited
Locai Labs is the UK’s foundational AI company. Based in London, the company has developed a proprietary LLM post-training methodology; Forget-Me-Not which it has used to create Locai-L1-Large, the UK’s first foundational large language model, trained using 100% renewable energy.
For more information, visit www.locailabs.com
About First Light Fusion
First Light Fusion (FLF) is a UK-based inertial fusion energy company focused on enabling the commercialisation of fusion energy and supporting the UK’s sovereign capabilities in defence and materials science research.
Founded in 2011 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, First Light has developed proprietary technologies in pressure and velocity amplification technology, machine learning simulation codes (the most advanced in the global fusion sector), and world-leading experimental infrastructure. This includes Europe’s largest pulsed power facility and the UK’s largest two-stage gas gun – multi-use platforms applicable to both fusion and broader high-energy physics research.
In September 2025, First Light published its research paper ‘FLARE – A Bold Strategy to Unlock Fusion Power’ – a concept that unlocks a new faster and more economical pathway to commercial inertial fusion energy.
For more information visit www.firstlightfusion.com