5 ways to start using Gems in your workflow, according to Google

Custom AI assistants can help users create AI chatbots for their specific needs without extensive coding or machine learning skills. In May, Google introduced its own version, Gems, and it’s now available to all Gemini Advanced users.

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Gemini Advanced is offered as part of the Google One AI Premium Plan, which costs users $20 per month. However, there is a one-month trial that users can participate in to test the plan and its benefits, such as Gems, for free. Whether you’re already a writer or just trying it out, you can benefit from learning how to use Gems and incorporating them into your workflow.

Because looking at any new feature can be intimidating, Google’s Gem product lead, Deven Tokuno, has shared some tips on how to get started and get the most out of the Gem experience, which we’ve summarized below.

1. Use predefined Gems

While sewing Gems may seem like the most important feature, starting with pre-made Gems is a great way to get familiar with what Gems can do. Google has already added Gems to Gemini, which can be found on the left side of Gemini when you sign up for Gemini Advanced.

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These early gems include a Brainstormer, a Career Guide, a Coding Companion, a Learning Coach, and a Writing Editor. You can use them to edit text, explain ideas, edit code, and more. You can also use them as a sounding board for new Gems you may want to create.

“You can make a copy of some of the original Gems, where you can rewrite or add to pre-filled commands,” Tuoko said.

For example, you can create a Brainstormer Gem with new instructions to best suit the project you are working on.

2. Create Gems that handle repetitive tasks

As mentioned in the introduction, one of the main advantages of custom AI assistants is that they allow you to avoid entering the same commands over and over again. As a result, creating your own Gem is very important in situations where you will be contributing to get help with the same task.

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“One of our team members has this great use case of how they’re used to writing in multiple sentences,” Tokuno said. “So they created Gem to help simplify their writing process and break up long sentences.”

If you’re still stuck on how to make your Gems best suited for your work, the following tips may come in handy.

3. Let Gemini help you with your Gem creation process

Creating or editing text is one of the best ways to use AI-powered tools. However, Google has found a way to use that ability to boost your Gem experience.

Whether you’re copying a predefined Gem or creating one from scratch, you can click the magic wand icon at the bottom of the text box to have Gemini rewrite and “expand” your commands.

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“It not only creates complete instructions, but also helps them learn to write like a fast engineer, showing what good instructions look like. It’s a great way to get inspiration – and if “If you don’t like it, you can undo it or edit it,” said Tokuno.

This helps take the guesswork out of creating a custom assistant and teaches you the best ways to promote, which is a useful skill when using an AI chatbot.

4. Get to the point

Your custom AI assistant can only help you as you tell her to. Therefore, the more specific you are, the more qualified and useful the assistant will be. Google provides an example of using Gemini to play a conversational role.

“Whether it’s to a friend or a colleague, you might want to be prepared,” Tokuno said. “And you can use the Gem to do some testing.”

In these cases, you want to be as specific as possible about what role Gems play to make your conversation as successful as possible.

5. Include in your group

Finally, Tuoko encourages users to think of Gems as their team, giving everyone a role that can help in every part of their life, professionally and personally.

“Gems can be a tool that makes AI work in every part of your life,” Tokuno said. “I can tell my Gem from the fridge to behave like a French sous chef to pick up a tip or my Reading Friend in my day to find a book that fits my mood.”