- Google announces the discontinuation of “Gem (Gems),” the custom AI expert feature launched in the Google AI “Gemini” app in late August 2024 two years ago, and its transition to the new “Skills” feature.
- “Skills” functions similarly to “abilities” in an RPG.
- “Gem (Gems)” will be discontinued starting November 2026 and automatically migrated to “Skills.”
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, local time, Google announced the discontinuation of “Gem (Gems)”—the custom AI expert feature introduced in the Google AI “Gemini” app in late August 2024 two years ago—and its transition to the new “Skills” feature.
In the “Gemini” app, “Skills” function like “abilities” in an RPG. They consist of pre-created custom instructions that can be called upon and used within “Gemini” chats, with the distinct capability of combining multiple “Skills” simultaneously. While a “Gem” can be thought of as an RPG “job” that inherently possesses its own specialized characteristics, “Skills” allow you to combine “abilities” to trigger original functions.
Additionally, while “Skills” have previously been rolled out in beta on the autonomous AI agent “Gemini Spark,” they are now expanding to the standard “Gemini” app following the retirement of “Gems.”
“Skills” in the “Gemini” app are a custom instructions feature that allows you to save frequently used prompts and execute them repeatedly as many times as you like. Created “Skills” can be easily accessed by simply typing a forward slash (“/”) followed by the name in the prompt input field. Furthermore, enabled “Skills” will be automatically evaluated by “Gemini” based on the content of your input prompt and applied in the background.
For example, by simultaneously using a “Skill” that specifies a writing style and a “Skill” that sets brand guidelines, you can create brand-aligned content written in your own voice. You can also reference other “Skills” within a “Skill’s” instructions to build more complex workflows.
There are multiple ways to create “Skills”: you can ask the “Gemini” app to create them for you, converse with the “Gemini” app on the “Skills” page to build them, edit based on templates, or create them manually from scratch. Additionally, creating “Skills” that include reference files such as text files, PDFs, and images is rolling out sequentially.
“Skills” in the “Gemini” app are beginning their global rollout for all “Gemini” users. Along with this, “Gem (Gems)” will be discontinued starting November 2026 and automatically migrated to “Skills.” Of course, you will also be able to manually migrate your “Gems” to “Skills.”
In addition, features previously available with “Gems”—such as sharing with other users, adding “Google Drive” files, and adding “Notebooks” from “Gemini Notebooks”—are scheduled to be added to “Skills” within the coming weeks.
Source: Google (https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/gemini/automate-tasks-with-skills/)