About Certified AI 360

Certified AI 360 was built to make AI competence practical, provable, and within reach for every business. Here's who's behind it.

Sam Richter, co-founder and lead instructor of Certified AI 360

Sam Richter, Co-Founder & Lead Instructor

Meet Sam Richter

Sam is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, bestselling author, and one of the world's foremost experts on generative AI and digital information strategy. Over a 20-plus year career, he's trained 1.5 million business professionals, including teams at some of the biggest brands in the world.

Sam doesn't just teach AI. He builds it. He's the creator of AI-powered platforms including Intel Engine, IntelLeads.ai, and AI 360 GPT, used by top companies worldwide. That combination of hands-on development and stage experience is what makes his training practical instead of theoretical.

Before Certified AI 360, Sam spent more than six years as president of the James J. Hill Center, turning an 85-year-old nonprofit business library into a nationally recognized digital resource for entrepreneurs. Earlier, he spent more than 18 years in advertising and e-commerce, leading launches for Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Major League Baseball, Polaris, and National Geographic.

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
  • KnowMorePrep.com: An AI briefing engine that preps you for every meeting

Credentials & Recognition

  • National Speakers Association Hall of Fame inductee, fewer than 300 speakers worldwide
  • Certified Speaking Professional, top 10% of professional speakers worldwide
  • Codie Award winner, the "Oscars" of the software industry
  • Bestselling author of "Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling," named Sales Book of the Year
  • Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year finalist
  • Featured in USA Today, Forbes, Fortune, and CNN
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn
Dave Olson, co-founder of Certified AI 360

Dave Olson, Co-Founder

Meet Dave Olson

Dave's career has focused on the intersection of digital marketing, brand strategy, and product innovation. He spent most of it as Senior Vice President at Brandpoint, a premier branded content and digital marketing firm trusted by Fortune 500 companies and top U.S. PR agencies, where he drove seven-figure product lines and forged partnerships with 1,000+ top media outlets including AP News, Gannett/USA Today, Hearst, and American City Business Journals.

At Brandpoint, Dave led R&D, directed cross-functional teams across sales, operations, product, and marketing, and served as a national judge for leading PR industry awards. He brings that same operational rigor and partnership mindset to Certified AI 360, where he focuses on making whole-company AI training scalable for SMBs.

  • Certified in AI/Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT
  • Google Marketing and YouTube ads certification
  • Executive leadership certification, University of St. Thomas
  • National judge for leading PR industry awards
Connect with Dave on LinkedIn

What audiences say about Sam

These are reviews of Sam's keynotes and corporate training. Certified AI 360 is brand new. Sam's track record teaching business audiences isn't.

  • "After attending Sam's keynote, we immediately used his methods. It gave us a HUGE edge and lots of confidence. The result: we landed a $4 million dollar account, with more to come."

    Anthony J. Parr, CFPManaging Director of Investments, Major Brokerage Firm
  • "In my years in the industry, I do not recall a more positively received, more positively commented on, more potentially revenue-changing keynote presentation. You far exceeded expectations."

    Rick EfferVice President, Morgan Stanley
  • "The tips and insight that Sam gave our sales team was top in class. Sam motivated us with such energy and excitement that every one of our sales professionals said Sam Richter was the highlight of our National Sales Meeting and have already asked when he can come back."

    Wendy J. SeniorSales Manager, 3M
  • "Through Sam's teachings and Know More! tools, I found inside information about a very important prospect that directly led to me landing a $400,000 commitment. Sam's program is today's success secret for anyone in business development, sales, and fundraising."

    Joel MandelExecutive Director, Sholom Foundation
  • "Sam's attendee evaluation scores were through the roof. Not only is he a pleasure to work with, his presentations are equally entertaining and informative. My Board of Directors and attendees were using words like "mesmerized" to describe his program."

    Lauren DwyerSenior Director of Professional Development, American Bankers Association
  • "A huge THANK YOU for the great presentation to our group of presidents and CEOs. This is only the second time a speaker has received all 5s out of 5 in more than 18 years, representing more than 150 of the top speakers in the world."

    Jim GeimerChair, Vistage International
  • "You are the best speaker in our organization's history, and your competition is strong. We have had the President, sports stars, and some of the most well known speakers in the world. For you to be placed at the top, WOW! You are now one of our go-to speakers."

    Terry MoskusVice President, Express Employment Professionals
  • "Sam is one of those rare speakers who provides attendees with actionable intelligence. His keynote score was 9.74. Wow. We have all heard many outstanding speakers, but rarely have I seen a speaker have a more comprehensive and consistent message impact a group of attendees."

    Andy SmithSenior Vice President, Experient
  • "Sam's presentation was very impressive and eye-opening. Our attendees all walked away with invaluable tips for finding out more about their customers and prospects to further enhance their business relationships. A first-class operation."

    Gary BynumManager of Marketing Operations, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
  • "I was a bit skeptical, as I've spent more than $20,000 on sales consultants, marketing consultants, and social media consultants resulting in absolutely no leads, let alone any sales. However, I am convinced I will get more value and results from the investment I made in today's presentation than I have in all of my prior."

    Brad KolarCEO, Avail Advisors
  • "Our 700+ attendees were absolutely riveted by Sam's keynote presentation, a rarity for busy CEOs and industry executives. Sam ensured that our attendees walked away with new strategies they could implement immediately to successfully land new customers. We could not have asked for a better speaker."

    Emily SavingDirector of Education & Research Foundation, HARDI
  • "The hour I spent in your keynote is the highest ROI I've ever experienced. Your command of a complex topic, mixed with your very easy-to-comprehend presentation, puts me in a position to apply what I have learned immediately. Simply outstanding."

    Karl HeerdegenPresident and CEO, The Northstar Group

Where Sam has trained teams

Sam Richter has trained teams at brands across every major industry, including:

  • Toyota
  • Caterpillar
  • FedEx
  • 3M
  • Canon
  • United States Postal Service
  • Charles Schwab
  • Morgan Stanley
  • MetLife
  • BlueCross BlueShield
  • Best Buy
  • Coldwell Banker
  • New York Yankees
  • Minnesota Twins

See the hundreds of other companies and associations Sam has trained →

Put that experience to work

Take the free AI Readiness Assessment and see where your team stands today.