Where Purpose Meets Data: The Future of Tech and Storytelling - Jason Harvey
At the BFUTR Global Tech Summit — the largest gathering of Black tech professionals in North America — innovation meets purpose, and community fuels progress. The conference brings together Black professionals in tech, entrepreneurs, and allies to celebrate success, spark new ideas, and build a more inclusive future for the industry.
During this year’s summit, I shared my journey through tech, entertainment, and data-driven innovation — offering a compelling look at how technology can be used not just to drive business outcomes, but to shape culture and create lasting impact.
Technology has always fascinated me, not just for its ability to make things faster or more efficient, but for the way it transforms industries. When data is used to make smarter decisions, build stronger connections, and unlock new possibilities, it becomes a powerful tool for positive change.
Early in my career, I joined Google, tasked with expanding its digital advertising reach in Latin America. Having already lived in Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, I was familiar with the cultures. Working on the maturation of the advertising ecosystem in Latin America gave me an appreciation for how adapting technologies for the markets they serve can drive business success.
This insight led me to my next challenge, adapting the marketing stack of an early-stage subscription box company to optimize their digital marketing efficiencies. From there, to entertainment, where the industry was shifting from traditional distribution models to streaming video on demand. This shift empowered consumers with unprecedented choice and control over their entertainment. No longer bound by broadcast schedules or limited retail selections, audiences can curate their own personalized entertainment experiences, anytime, anywhere, on any device.
I was invited to build and grow BET+, the new streaming service operated by BET Media Group and Tyler Perry Studios. I was excited to combine my strong tech background with entertainment, and I jumped in. DTC businesses live and die by data and at BET+, we are leading the way in Decision AI for streaming — BET+ uses structured data and AI to inform strategic business decisions across content programming, title attribution and marketing optimization.
First-party data is vital to achieving long-term success. Streaming entertainment companies that truly understand how to activate their first-party data can build and reinforce their competitive advantage. By analyzing patterns across BET+, we can now more accurately predict which projects have a higher likelihood to succeed. What key elements make a show or movie resonate? Is it the lead actor, the storyline, seasonality? Our data architecture, with hundreds of billions of rows of total data, is uniquely optimized to be able to exploit AI/ML to drive content discovery, improve lifetime value of subscribers and optimize marketing efficiency in real-time.
Technology also has the power to shape culture. The intersection of technology and entertainment is where I’ve found the most professional fulfillment. I’ve always believed that innovation isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about opening doors that didn’t exist before. The ability to personalize content, translate stories across languages, and serve underrepresented audiences. AI-driven localization is one example — allowing content to travel across borders while maintaining authenticity. That’s a game-changer, not just for businesses but for global storytelling. The key is to leverage these highly efficient AI opportunities while protecting the jobs for which those opportunities were born.
Of course, innovation comes with challenges. The rise of AI and data-driven decision-making brings ethical considerations around privacy, bias, and transparency. Companies must be intentional about how they use these tools, ensuring they serve people rather than just profits. Responsible AI isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for trust in the digital age.
For me, the goal has always been about creating value. Whether in advertising, streaming, or the broader media space, the goal remains the same: to use technology in ways that drive business success while making a lasting impact. As AI and machine learning continue to evolve, I see even greater opportunities ahead — not just for businesses, but for communities and audiences who deserve stories that truly reflect them.
Jason Harvey is a C-level business leader with over 20 years of experience growing both small and multinational companies. He specializes in developing innovative strategies that transform businesses, optimize operations, and create lasting value. Passionate about community empowerment, Jason focuses on fostering inclusive teams and driving positive impact.
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn.
