About Us | AI Certification 360

About Certified AI 360

Your Instructor - eSam (Virtual Sam Richter)

Your Certified AI 360 instructor is eSam, a virtual version of Hall of Fame speaker and bestselling author Sam Richter. Why virtual? Because Generative AI moves too fast for traditional courses. In a field where everything changes not in weeks or months, but in days or even hours, most AI training programs are outdated by the time they film, edit, and publish. eSam delivers fresh, relevant content at the speed the technology demands. When something new matters, you'll have it.

Sam Richter, CSP, CPAE

About Sam Richter (the real one)

Sam Richter is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, bestselling author, and one of the world's foremost experts on Generative AI, artificial intelligence, sales intelligence, and digital information strategy. With more than 20 years of experience building AI and machine learning programs, Sam is recognized globally as a leading authority on how businesses can leverage ChatGPT, Custom GPTs, AI Agents, and other Generative AI tools to drive results.

Sam is the only professional speaker who not only teaches the power of AI and online intelligence, but also builds the AI-powered tools and resources that help organizations achieve immediate results. His unique combination of hands-on AI development experience and world-class presentation skills makes him one of the most sought-after Generative AI speakers and trainers in the world.

AI Expertise & Thought Leadership

Sam has trained tens of thousands of professionals worldwide on how to use Generative AI effectively in business. His Generative AI keynote presentations and training programs cover prompt engineering, Custom GPT development, AI Agents, AI-powered research, AI-driven communications, and the strategic integration of artificial intelligence across sales, marketing, operations, HR, and leadership functions.

As Generative AI continues to transform the business landscape, Sam helps organizations navigate the shift from traditional workflows to AI-augmented operations. His programs focus on practical, real-world AI applications that deliver measurable business outcomes, not theoretical concepts.

AI Tools & Technology

Sam created numerous AI-powered technologies used by top companies worldwide, including:

Intel Engine - A family of AI-powered business and sales intelligence search applications
IntelLeads.ai - An AI-driven lead generation and relevant communications platform
Find5500.ai - An AI-powered prospecting tool for financial advisors
YouGotIntel.com - An AI-powered suite of solutions that helps users find targeted online intelligence
AI 360 GPT - A suite of Generative AI tools for company research, industry analysis, personality assessment, prompt creation, contract analysis, and more

Credentials & Recognition

Codie Award (the "Oscars" of the software industry)
National Speakers Association Hall of Fame inductee (fewer than 300 speakers worldwide)
Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) - Top 10% of the world's professional speakers
Minnesota Speakers Association Hall of Fame member
Minnesota Speakers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
Global Guru - Top 30 Internet Thought Leaders
Top 50 Sales Keynote Speakers
Top 25 Most Influential Sales Leaders
Top 15 Highest-Rated Speakers for Virtual Events
Top 100 Motivational Speakers
Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
Bestselling author - "Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling" (Sales Book of the Year)
Gold Award at the International Film Festival

History

For more than six years, Sam served as president of the James J. Hill Center, transforming an 85-year-old nonprofit business library into a nationally renowned digital resource for entrepreneurs and small businesses. He spent 18+ years in advertising, public relations, and e-commerce, leading product launches and strategic marketing programs for major corporations including Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Major League Baseball, Polaris Industries, and National Geographic.

Sam serves on the Boards of Directors for Brandpoint and Argos Risk, and advises numerous technology, big data, Generative AI, and sales organizations. His thought leadership on Generative AI, artificial intelligence, and sales intelligence has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, Fortune, CNN, and thousands of other publications and broadcasts worldwide.

Education & Personal

Sam earned his B.A. from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he was a four-year varsity football letterman and two-time Scholastic All-American. His postgraduate education includes executive leadership certifications from the University of St. Thomas and Saint Mary's University.

Sam lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with his wife and two children. He volunteers with Mental Health Navigators, where he built the nationally recognized Mental Health Resource Search Engine using AI-powered technology.

Learn more at www.samrichter.com/bio

LinkedIn: Sam Richter

About David Olson (the real one)

David's career has focused on the intersection of digital marketing, public relations and business development. Within this ever-changing space, he's been fortunate to play a key role in driving innovation and revenue, while leading a variety of outstanding teams.

Brandpoint

Senior Vice President

(Dec. 1998 to Sept. 2025)

Brandpoint is a premier provider of branded content and digital marketing solutions for dozens of Fortune 500 companies and the top PR agencies in the U.S. They specialize in connecting brands with their target audiences through compelling feature content across a network of the biggest and most influential media sites in the U.S. Their campaigns drive awareness, foster meaningful engagement with B2C and B2B audiences, and inspire action.

Key Accomplishments:

Spearheaded R&D and product innovation, including multiple seven-figure product lines that drove the majority of Brandpoint's revenue growth in its first 25 years.
Secured custom, strategic partnerships with more than 1,000 top media sites, including Gannett / USA Today, Hearst, AP News, Tribune, Sinclair Broadcasting, McClatchy, and American City Business Journals.
Managed or supervised a range of talented teams, including sales, operations, product, innovation, and marketing.
Led
Represented Brandpoint at major digital marketing and PR industry conferences at the local, regional and national levels.
Served as a longtime national judge for major award programs within the PR industry, including the PRSA Anvil Awards, the PR News Platinum Awards, and the PR Week Purpose Awards.
Authored thought leadership content in a variety of industry media outlets.

EdView, Inc

Content Manager and Business Development

(May 1997 to Oct. 1998)

Internet safety software with proprietary search engine for educator-rated and approved websites.
EdView held national promotion and sponsorships deals with Colgate-Palmolive, AT&T, Compaq, HBO, Land-O-Lakes, and Pearson Education
Product acquired by Apple and became part of OS X software.
Managed EdView website, and its content review and approval system.
Sold EdView software to hundreds of public schools in Minneapolis / St. Paul and surrounding suburbs.

Illinois State University

Adjunct English Instructor

(Sept. 1995 to May 1997)

Taught English 101, Business Writing, and Rhetoric to both underclassmen and upperclassmen.

Education & Personal

David earned his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. His postgraduate education includes an M.A. from Illinois State University, and MBA certifications from the University of St. Thomas.

David live in Maple Grove, MN with his wife and two daughters. His dog, Matcha, is one of his best friends.

LinkedIn: David Olson

David Olson