As state and federal agencies across the United States race to deploy artificial intelligence, one of the emerging challenges is not what AI can do, but how to use it safely. Darwin AI, a company building the infrastructure for responsible government adoption of artificial intelligence, announced on Thursday a $15 million Series A funding round led by Insight Partners, with participation from UpWest and Resolute Ventures.
Darwin’s platform, used by agencies in states including Texas, Ohio, California, Illinois, and Washington, provides a framework for compliance, oversight, and data governance, laying the groundwork for more secure and transparent AI use across government.
As part of the investment, Brenda Harvey, former General Manager of IBM Public Sector and current Nissan Motor Corporation board member, will join Darwin’s Board of Directors.
Darwin, which has raised a total of $20 million to date, employs 15 people in Texas and Tel Aviv.
Darwin’s founders, Noam Maital (CEO) and Asaf Fadida (CTO), started the company to address a problem quietly spreading through public agencies: the uncontrolled use of AI systems. According to Darwin’s research, over 60% of AI usage in U.S. government agencies today occurs through “shadow AI”, unsanctioned tools like ChatGPT or image generators that employees use without oversight, potentially exposing sensitive or personal data.
“Agencies need to ensure AI adoption complies with existing regulations like public records laws, while also meeting emerging state and federal AI standards that require guardrails, inventories, and full visibility,” said Noam Maital, co-founder and CEO of Darwin. “Darwin gives agencies a clear path to achieve compliance while accelerating innovation.”
The company’s leadership team also includes Chief AI Officer Dustin Haisler, formerly of e.Republic and a longtime CIO in the public sector.
