Alieff Irfan Announces AI Team 2026 Batch 1 Temporary Talent Intake, Emphasizing Performance Over Permanent Roles

Alieff Irfan officially announced the highly anticipated intake for AI Team 2026 Batch 1, which represents one of three annual recruitment cycles for temporary talents. The team has made four seats available for this new cohort, with the expectation that the selected individuals will be proactive in producing engaging content throughout their tenure.

Alieff Irfan addressed concerns about the selection process, firmly denying any direct personal involvement in choosing the candidates. He clarified that new members like Sofia and Shera were not recruited through specific, pre-determined selections, stating, "Tidak ada pilihan siapa-siapa. Eh ish ada. Eh siapa pilih eh? Siapa pilih? Oh tak tak ada."

Sofia, a 24-year-old from Banting, revealed that her decision to join the AI Team stemmed from her mother's encouragement. When asked about her motivation, Sofia humorously stated, "Ah sebab saya gila." Her hobbies include playfully annoying her father, showcasing a lighthearted personality fit for content creation.

Shera directly confronted rumors of 'cabel' (nepotism or insider connections) regarding her entry into the AI Team. She emphasized that her recruitment was not due to personal favors, stating, "Eh ini bukan kabel ke apa. Memang si Shera ni sumpah saya lepas kawan dengan dia. Mang lama dah saya kawan dengan dia. Sumpah bukan kabel." She insisted that her friendship with Alieff was long-standing and unrelated to her selection.

Alimin, 27, has joined the AI Team 2026 Batch 1, and Alieff Irfan confirmed he is likely the only male member in this particular cohort. Alieff humorously noted a past rivalry with others named 'Min,' adding a personal touch to Alimin's introduction and highlighting the team's gender composition of three women and one man.

Alieff Irfan addressed accusations of bias towards talents from Kelantan in past recruitments. He explained his deliberate effort to diversify the team by including individuals from various regions across Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, stating, "Ha tak. Sebab sebelum ni ramai kata aku ni nak ambil budak Kelantanlah apa semua. So aku dah banyak ambil orang Semenanjung lain dan juga ambil Borneo. Ah sekarang aku nak try ambil orang Kelantan balik gitulah." This strategy aims to ensure a balanced representation while reintroducing Kelantan talent.

Alieff Irfan confirmed that the recruitment for AI Team 2026 Batch 1 has been finalized with a total of four members. He explicitly stated, "Jadi ini adalah kerusi terakhir untuk kali ini untuk batch pertama ni. Sebab batch pertama ni hanya empat orang saja. Aku cakap terus terang," as he introduced the final member to complete the cohort.

The new talents shared their personal motivations for joining the AI Team, highlighting a blend of financial and career aspirations.

Sofia expressed her desire to use the platform to achieve a personal goal, stating, "A saya nak masuk sini sebab saya ini satatu tempat ni untuk saya dapat penuhi aa cita-cita saya nak memiliki si Jamal," referring to her ambition to buy a motorcycle.

Shera, on the other hand, aims to rebuild her online presence and reputation after a previous account ban. Alimin, with his passion for acting, aspires to become the 'AI Team version' of popular actor Shukri Yahaya, leveraging the team's platform to hone his skills.

Shera openly discussed the challenges of rebuilding her online brand after her previous account was banned. She shared her motivation, stating, "Saya masuk sini sebab saya rasa macam akaun lama pun dah kena ban. So saya rasa masuk sini untuk nilah naikkan nama balik." Her goal is to regain her previous following and reach 1 million followers again, while also refuting the misconception that joining the AI Team automatically leads to wealth.

Alimin expressed his primary motivation for joining the AI Team as pursuing a career in acting. He articulated his aspiration to become an 'AI Team version of Shukri Yahaya,' stating, "Saya nak jadi fadlan versi AI team." This highlights his strong interest in leveraging the platform to develop his acting skills and presence.

The new applicants were asked to identify their most and least favorite pairings among the existing AI Team members, leading to some candid responses. Anis Sofia specifically praised a particular partnership, stating, "Partnership yang paling menonjol dan saya suka Asri."

Conversely, some applicants openly expressed personal dislikes for certain members, such as Daus or Nuor Sejarah, based on their observed personalities or content styles.

Anis Sofia further admitted that her engagement with the team often stems from simply enjoying their content for entertainment value, indicating a viewer's perspective on team dynamics.

One applicant, Shera, voiced a specific complaint about a team member's interaction style during live streams. She expressed her dislike for a particular behavior, stating, "Saya buat live slime dia asyik bagi air. So saya memang tak suka dia." This refers to the disruptive habit of 'giving water' (causing distractions) during her live sessions, indicating a preference for focused engagement.

Anis Sofia shared a rather specific personal preference regarding member personalities, expressing a humorous discomfort with those who smile excessively. She stated, "Saya tak suka lelaki senyum manis,"

suggesting an aversion to what she perceives as overly 'sweet' or insincere smiles.

This created a lighthearted tension within the discussion, contrasting the perception of 'sweet' behavior against what might be considered more 'sincere' or genuine expressions.

When discussing partnership preferences, Capik, one of the participants, emphasized the importance of emotional support from a collaborator. He highlighted his need for a partner who could provide motivation and uplift him during challenging times, rather than someone who would require his emotional support.

Capik stated, "Sebab saya nak bila saya down ataupun saya tak ada hala tuju dia bagi semangat kat saya. Bukan saya bagi semangat kat dia."

He further noted that the reality of working behind the camera often differs significantly from the polished content presented to the audience, underscoring the importance of genuine and reciprocal support in a creative partnership.

Alieff Irfan explicitly clarified the AI Team's policy for 2026, stating that there will be no direct permanent recruitment for temporary talents. He confirmed, "Untuk tahun ni kita sebenarnya tidak ada pengambilan tetap untuk talent sementara AI team 2026."

This policy means that the performances of the temporary talents are primarily intended for their individual growth and to help them build personal fanbases, rather than serving as a direct pathway to permanent positions. After the conclusion of their 21-day program, these talents will return to their daily lives.

Alieff Irfan announced the establishment of a formal 'Kerusi Panas 2027' program for individuals aspiring to achieve permanent status within the AI Team. He stated, "kita akan adakan kerusi panas 2027... KP27 ni dia kena reapply balik."

This rigorous system mandates that participants, even those who performed exceptionally well during their temporary tenure, must actively reapply for permanent roles. This ensures that only those who genuinely desire and commit to a long-term position with the team will be considered, fostering a dedicated and self-motivated pool of candidates.