Simon Cowell and Will.i.am seek tech talent

Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.i.am and music mogul Simon Cowell hope to find next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs in "X Factor for Tech"

The technology industry is set for a dose of TV talent show glamour as Simon Cowell and Will.i.am reveal their plans to launch the search for the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs.

Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am, who appeared as a coach on BBC's The Voice this year, told The Sun about the duo's plans to launch "the X Factor for Tech".

The rapper, who is Intel's director of creative innovation, said the show will be "out of this world" when it launches, claiming that it will create lots of jobs for young people.

He said: "It's about getting in touch with youth and giving them a platform to express themselves, whether that is in science or mathematics."

Will.i.am teamed up with NASA in the summer and his song Reach For The Stars became the first piece of music to be broadcast back to Earth from Mars from the Curiosity rover.

Will.i.am's Reach For The Stars broadcast from Mars to Earth.

Simon Cowell image from Shutterstock.com