Google is retiring Gemini's Gems feature, custom assistants will become Skills
As all-in-one AI agents like Meta's Muse and Instinct gain traction, Google has announced it will retire the "Gems" feature in Gemini. Gems previously let users build custom AI assistants for specific tasks. User-created Gems won't be deleted; they will automatically migrate to "skills" that can be called across various AI tasks.
A notice in the Gemini app says that starting November 17, 2026, Gems will officially become skills. Google says it will handle the migration automatically, so users don't need to convert anything manually. Until that date, Gems will still work as usual.
Gems launched in 2024 to help users train AI for specific jobs without repeating prompts. Preset Gems include a study helper, brainstorming assistant, career advisor, coding partner, and document editor. Users could also create their own, like a running coach or nutrition advisor, and share them.
After the rename, users must type a slash "/" in a chat thread to access a skill. This interaction suits engineers more than everyday consumers, who may find it less simple than just typing to a chatbot.
