Google Ditches Gemini Gems for New 'Skills' Feature

Google has announced that it will be retiring Gemini Gems, a feature that allows users to customize their AI experience. The company is replacing them with a new feature called Skills, which will provide an improved way for users to interact with AI. According to Google, the migration process will begin on November 17, 2026.

Skills will allow users to trigger custom instructions and tools within their main chat window by typing a forward slash (/) in the prompt box. This means that users can combine multiple Skills simultaneously, creating more complex workflows and automating tasks. The new feature is currently available for paid Google AI Pro ($20/month) and AI Ultra subscribers.

The transition to Skills has raised concerns among free account holders, as it is unclear whether they will gain access to the new feature. Google is expected to publish full account guidelines before mid-November. Creators can continue using their existing Gems until the migration process begins.