What you need to know
In a significant shift for its AI platform, Google has announced the impending transition from its Gemini Gems feature to a new functionality known as “Skills.” This change is set to take effect on November 17, 2026, as indicated by alerts within the Gemini interface. Users will have the opportunity to continue utilizing Gems until the migration occurs, ensuring a smooth transition.
- Google has begun notifying users that the Gems feature will be phased out in favor of Skills.
- While Gems will be officially replaced on November 17, 2026, users can still access their Gems until the migration is complete.
- Skills are designed as “reusable custom instructions” that can be stacked and accessed more easily during Gemini chats.
- The introduction of Gemini Gems took place in August 2024, allowing users to create personalized AI experiences.
Google’s decision to retire Gems is part of a broader evolution of its AI capabilities. The company has communicated this change through an alert in the Gems view, stating, “we’ll automatically begin migrating your Gems to Skills.” Users are encouraged to visit a support page for more detailed information regarding this transition.
Currently, Skills are available in Gemini chats for users over 18 who are signed into their personal accounts, with plans to extend this functionality to work and school accounts in the future. The original concept of Gems was introduced to allow users to craft a customized AI experience tailored to specific needs, enabling them to dictate the AI’s purpose and response style.
Since their launch, Gems have been accessible on both desktop and mobile platforms, and Google has integrated them into its Workspace suite, offering pre-made selections for applications like Gmail, Drive, Sheets, and Slides. However, the upcoming Skills feature represents a new chapter in Google’s AI journey, emerging from the capabilities of Gemini Spark. This proactive AI agent is designed to enhance productivity by managing tasks and workflows discreetly in the background.
According to Google, Skills consist of “a set of instructions and preferences that teaches Gemini how to handle a specific type of task the way you would,” marking a significant advancement in user interaction with AI technology.
