will.i.am and Simon Cowell are to team up on will's new technology show to find the next Bill Gates.

Simon Cowell and will.i.am are teaming up to find a new Bill Gates.

The pair - who have previously gone head to head on TV shows 'The Voice' and 'X Factor' - will work together on will's new show in a bid to find the next big thing in technology.

He said: "We're working on a project called 'X Factor for Tech' and it's going to be out of this world. Singing and performance create a lot of jobs, but this will create lots.

"Simon's cool. We had a wicked dinner a couple of weeks ago and it was really nice."

Speaking at a London technology conference, the Black Eyed Peas star said he hoped "the youth" would get involved with the show.

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

will has previously revealed there is a great need for more investment in technology and young people.

He said: "Every year, companies like Google need more innovators, but there is no content celebrating them.

"The system thinks people are dumb and they don't care. We have no desire to make them care.

"We need creative people working with broadcasters, making smart content to inspire people to be geniuses."