Darwin emerges to help cities govern AI

Darwin has emerged from stealth with a US$5 million seed funding round co-led by UpWest and Resolute Ventures, aiming to address the need for AI governance and security in the public sector.

As AI adoption accelerates across local and state governments–often through unapproved platforms–there is growing concern about how to scale AI while maintaining oversight and compliance.

“Many employees at public agencies are already using AI tools informally, often without proper oversight,” Noam Maital, (pictured), CEO of Darwin told Cities Today. “Agencies need to transition from this fragmented approach to a structured governance model by establishing, refining, and managing AI policies.”

The company reports that over 40 percent of public sector employees use AI tools on unapproved platforms, risking data exposure. Despite these risks, AI offers efficiency gains that governments cannot ignore.

A structured governance framework typically includes clear AI policies tailored to an agency’s regulatory environment and risk tolerance. Visibility into AI usage across departments is also important to ensure decision-makers can enforce responsible AI use.

“Instead of restricting innovation, a governance approach encourages responsible AI experimentation within a controlled framework, allowing cities to reap the benefits of AI while mitigating risks,” Maital said.

With concerns over AI security mounting–exemplified by the recent bans on Chinese AI models in several US states–public agencies must establish clear, enforceable AI governance frameworks. Ensuring that only vetted and approved AI tools are used within an organisation can help prevent the spread of unauthorised applications.

“The tracking of AI tools being used across agencies, including those that may not have been officially authorised, ensures leadership has complete visibility,” he explained.

Real-time monitoring is also a component of AI governance. Auditing and tracking AI activities can help agencies assess compliance risks and measure effectiveness.

“By integrating compliance and security mechanisms into the AI adoption process, agencies can embrace AI’s benefits–efficiency, cost savings, and improved public services–without exposing themselves to unnecessary regulatory or cybersecurity risks,” he said.

The company is already working with public agencies, including City of Aurora, Illinois. Mark Taghap, Chief Information Security Officer of Aurora, emphasised the importance of governance in AI adoption.

“Aurora isn’t just adopting AI—we’re defining how cities can use it to drive innovation while maintaining transparency and accountability,” Taghap said. “AI presents a massive opportunity to improve city operations, but without governance, the risks could outweigh the benefits. Our goal is to be a model for responsible AI adoption, ensuring these advancements build public trust and deliver real impact.”

As AI regulations evolve, governance policies must be continuously updated to reflect the latest legal requirements, ensuring agencies remain compliant without the burden of manual tracking.

“Our implementation roadmap guides cities through every stage of AI adoption, from policy creation to compliance enforcement and staff training,” Maital noted. “With a scalable governance framework, cities can start with small AI projects and expand their initiatives safely, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory expectations.”

Image: Darwin AI