Meaning ❉ Coded Gaze refers to the subtle, often unseen biases embedded within digital systems, algorithms, or even established frameworks that interpret and categorize information. For textured hair, this translates to how artificial intelligence in product recommendation engines or diagnostic apps might misinterpret the unique properties of coils, kinks, and waves, leading to skewed understandings of hair health or needs. Such algorithmic predispositions can influence the development of hair care automatons or personalized routine builders, causing them to overlook the specific requirements of Black and mixed-race hair types. Consequently, in practical application, individuals may find themselves guided toward ineffective products or methods, hindering true hair growth and well-being. Recognizing this bias encourages a discerning approach to digital tools, ensuring knowledge about one’s heritage hair remains grounded in lived experience and precise scientific understanding, rather than flawed interpretations.
