Belfast tech giant Kainos launches new AI business Actonomy
Belfast-headquartered technology company Kainos has launched a new artificial intelligence business called Actonomy, aimed at helping organisations move AI systems from experimentation into real-world use.
The launch of Kainos Actonomy represents the latest expansion into artificial intelligence by one of Northern Ireland’s biggest technology companies.
Ruth McGuinness, who has led data and AI operations at Kainos, has been appointed chief executive of the new business.
Kainos says Actonomy will focus specifically on what it describes as “production AI” — taking artificial intelligence models beyond prototypes and trials and deploying them in live systems used by businesses and their customers.
The company claims its approach has already reduced the amount of time required to deploy AI into production by as much as 75%.
Kainos Actonomy targets real-world AI deployment
Actonomy has emerged from Kainos’ experience delivering enterprise AI projects over the past decade, spanning machine learning, generative AI and the more recent development of agentic AI.
The new business combines an AI platform with specialist engineering expertise designed to help organisations deploy the technology at scale.
Its technology is built using Microsoft and Anthropic technologies, while customers will have flexibility to deploy systems through cloud infrastructure or locally using NVIDIA hardware.
Kainos says the new operation is intended to address a gap between the widespread use of AI tools by individuals and the more difficult task of integrating artificial intelligence across entire businesses.
McGuinness said there had been widespread adoption of AI to improve personal productivity, but significantly fewer examples of the technology generating meaningful benefits at departmental or organisation-wide level.
She said solving that problem was the reason Actonomy had been established.
Early customers already using technology
Kainos says Actonomy technology is already being deployed by customers.
Early projects include work with a specialist UK lender seeking to reduce non-performing loans across a portfolio containing millions of accounts.
The technology is also being used by a major UK water utility seeking AI-driven efficiencies across £40 million of operational spending.
Kainos chief executive Brendan Mooney described artificial intelligence as the most significant technological shift in a generation.
He said Kainos had been investing in its people, technology and customer projects involving AI for around a decade, describing the creation of Actonomy as the next logical stage of that work.
Mooney said the early response from the market had given the company confidence that the new business was addressing a growing need among organisations seeking to generate greater value from AI.
Major AI expansion at Belfast company
The launch follows a significant expansion of Kainos’ artificial intelligence operations in Northern Ireland.
In June, the company announced plans to create 341 new jobs across Belfast and Derry over three years as it expands its AI capabilities in response to growing customer demand.
Of those positions, 32 are planned for the company’s Derry office, with the remaining 309 jobs based in Belfast.
Kainos was founded in Belfast in 1986 and has since developed into an international digital technology company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Its operations include digital services and Workday-related products and services, with customers across the public and private sectors.
The company is also developing its new Bankmore Exchange headquarters in Belfast city centre, where it plans to occupy around half of the building.
Launch comes during Belfast Tech Week
The Actonomy announcement also coincides with the beginning of Belfast Tech Week 2026, which runs from 21 to 25 September.
More than 60 events are planned across the city during the five-day programme, which is expected to bring together technology companies, entrepreneurs, investors and others working in Belfast’s growing technology sector.
Kainos is participating as a supporting partner for this year’s programme.
The company will also have a prominent role at AICON 2026 at ICC Belfast on Wednesday, 23 September.
The conference, which is curated by Kainos, will focus heavily on the growing role of AI agents and the challenges involved in deploying artificial intelligence at scale and with appropriate oversight.
The launch of Actonomy adds another Belfast-based venture to a rapidly developing artificial intelligence sector as businesses increasingly look beyond experimental uses of AI towards deploying the technology in everyday operations.