UpWest and Resolute Ventures led the funding round.
Darwin’s early clients include Corona, Calif., and Aurora, Ill., where public officials are using the company’s technology to help them deploy artificial intelligence “strategically,” while making sure those uses of AI comply with the policies set by specific public agencies.
The technology can also provide details of how a particular agency uses AI, and offer guidance about using AI to streamline work, among other tasks.
That reflects larger trends as AI continues to spread in the public sector, with states and others working to set policies around the technology, especially in the absence of federal legislation that would take a comprehensive approach to the issue.
“AI adoption isn't a future concern — it's already happening,” said Noam Maital, CEO of Darwin, in the company’s statement. “Our data shows that over 40 percent of the public-sector workforce is already using AI tools, often through personal accounts and unapproved platforms.”
As he put it, public agencies that use AI are putting themselves at risk by pushing “sensitive data” into “unmanaged systems.”
He said Darwin has designed its offerings to give those agencies “the infrastructure to embrace AI while staying secure, compliant and in control.”
The company highlighted the recent state bans of Chinese AI tool DeepSeek as showing the market need for more security and compliance around artificial intelligence.
“AI is already being used across government agencies, often without oversight or strategic direction,” said Chris McMasters, chief information officer of Corona, in the statement. “Without visibility, agencies risk inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities and compliance gaps.”
