Gems in Gemini: Guidance for Instructors

• Access: Access Gems by logging into gemini.google.com using your UMN internet ID and password.
• Sources: Each Gem allows you to upload up to 10 files to provide specialized knowledge or context. You can import documents, web pages, and other materials, such as Docs, Slides, PDF files, text, links, YouTube links, and audio files. 
  • Note: Publishers typically prohibit (through licensing) upload of research, magazine and newspaper articles (including those used for course readings) to third-party services like Gemini, including Gems. Do not upload materials produced by others or licensed materials unless you have explicit permission or the material is covered under a known exemption or license. 
• Collaboration: Sharing a Gem with collaborators or students typically means sharing the Gem's underlying instructions (the prompt) so they can create their own personalized copy, or sharing the output via a Google Doc or email. The Gem itself is an individual tool.
• Updates: Gemini Gems undergo regular updates. Stay informed about new features, updates, and best practices through official Gemini Gems announcements and University IT resources. 

Data Protection and Privacy

Using Gems through your University account ensures that your interactions are protected by UMN’s enterprise-grade security standards.

• Private data: User interaction data and uploaded files are not used to train Google’s language models.
• No human review: User interaction data is not accessible or reviewed by any humans at Google.
• Restricted access: Your interactions are not made available to other users within or outside the University.
• Retention: Data entered into or received from Gems (and Gemini) will be retained for three months per Information Security recommendations. After three months any history, prompts, and results will be cleared from Gems/Gemini. However, the Gems themselves (the custom personas/instructions) remain in your account until you manually delete them at your discretion.

While Gems offer advanced customization, they are subject to the same ethical and policy requirements as other generative AI tools at the University:

• The UMN appropriate use of generative AI tools resource provides examples of data/information that should and should not be used in generative AI tools.
• Read the Libraries Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources to understand the relevant rules when using the University's Libraries' electronic resources (such as journals, magazine and newspaper articles, or databases).
• Be aware of the ethical concerns of generative AI, such as biased output, hallucinations (false or misleading information presented as fact) and misinformation. Review the AI Ethics & Efficacy presentation by the University Libraries to gain a deeper understanding of these issues.
• If you use Gemini Gems to help design your course or create activities, let students know that you used it. This increases transparency and also models the behavior for students.
• If you want to upload student work to any generative AI tool, remember that they own the copyright and other intellectual property rights in this work. It is best to get consent from students if you plan to use their work externally. Learn more about sharing student work.
• Include expectations in your syllabus or course introductions if you expect your students to use Gemini Gems as part of your class. Create clear syllabus statements on generative AI use, whether you choose to allow or prohibit such tools.

Because Gems can "remember" specific instructions and context, they are particularly useful for:

• Specialized Academic Assistants: Create a Gem tailored for literature reviews, background research for grants, or synthesizing complex information for reports.
• Course and Lesson Planning: Build a Gem that understands your specific course objectives to help brainstorm activities, draft lecture outlines, or generate discussion prompts.
• Content Generation: Draft assignment instructions or create vocabulary lists and study guides based on specific course materials you have uploaded.

User Responsibilities

As with all AI tools, you are responsible for the data you input and the content the Gem generates.

• Review Output: AI can generate biased, incomplete, or false information (hallucinations). Always review and edit any Gem-generated content for accuracy and appropriateness before sharing it with students.
• Data Classification: Ensure you are only using data allowed by the University's Data Security Classification policy. For example, Private-Highly Restricted data may be used only in accordance with applicable policies.
• GenAI Literacy Skills enable GenAI users to navigate the ethical landscapes and practical applications of AI in education. Promote GenAI skill development for your students and yourself with the following offerings: GenAI + U (for students) and Gen AI + U: An Instructor’s Guide to AI Literacy (for instructors).

If you have questions about instructor guidance for AI, contact your local Academic Technology Contact or Academic Technology Support Services ([email protected]). 

This guidance was developed by the OIT’s Academic Technology Support Services, the University Libraries, and the Center for Educational Innovation.