Episode 58: The case for Lovelace Labs in Manchester

Episode 58: The case for Lovelace Labs in Manchester

January 30, 2026 · 1h 6m · Season 3

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of innovation in Northern England and proposes Manchester as a location for Lovelace Labs.

In this episode of Off Script, Josh, James, and Tom discuss the importance of innovation in Leeds and the broader UK, emphasizing the need for representation and funding for technology outside of London, triggered by an article Tom wrote titled "National purpose on AI" . Tom shares insights on the historical context of innovation in Leeds, the role of academic research, and the success stories of tech companies in regions like Stoke-on-Trent. They also propose Manchester as a suitable location for Lovelace Labs and call for a national data library to be established in Leeds. The discussion highlights the need for a more confident and proactive approach to promoting Northern innovation and addressing funding disparities. The UK government often overlooks innovation happening outside London. Leeds has a rich history of innovation and should be recognized for it. The tech sector in Stoke-on-Trent is surprisingly larger than in Oxford. Academic research is crucial for innovation but often underfunded outside major cities. There is a need for a national data library to be based in Leeds. Manchester is a strong candidate for the proposed Lovelace Labs. Local companies need to be more…

People in this episode

Hosts: Josh, James

Guest: Tom

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lovelace Labs

Books & works: National purpose on AI

Places: Manchester, Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent, Oxford, UK

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