Google announced the end of the Gemini Gems feature, which allowed users to create customized versions of artificial intelligence. Previously established settings in the Gems will be transferred to the new Gemini Spark skills system starting November 17th.
A notification within the platform informed the shutdown date, clarifying that the Gems will remain operational normally until the feature is fully replaced. However, Google has not yet detailed how access to these new skills will work for those using the free version of Gemini.
Currently, skill adjustments are restricted to subscribers of the Google AI Pro or Ultra plans, accessible via the Spark tab. This change is part of a larger process of reorganizing Gemini's customization features.
Before this official announcement, sources found in Google application code already indicated that the company was working on replacing or integrating the Gems into the new system, as reported by the Android Authority website.
Originally, Gems served to adapt Gemini to a specific set of guidelines, being useful for those who need to apply consistent rules, preventing the repetition of preferences during conversations. For example, it was possible to create a Gem focused on studies or writing, defining the necessary guidelines for later use.
The new skills represent the format adopted by Google to customize Gemini's behavior, evolving the idea of Gems into a model more integrated with workflows. According to Google, just like Gems, these skills specify how a particular activity should be executed.
The fundamental distinction lies in the integration with Gemini Spark capabilities, which functions as an assistant focused on process automation. For instance, the AI can automatically detect when an activity is relevant and apply it in the background. Furthermore, it is possible to combine multiple skills into a single task; one skill can organize a travel reservation, while another defines how Gemini should draft a message in Gmail.