will.i.am, TV Competition for Tech Geniuses: BEP Star Wants to Find the Next Steve Jobs With New Show

Posted on Sep 19th 2012 1:20PM by Contessa Gayles

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

After teaming up with NASA to broadcast his new single from Mars, and revealing his plans to go back to school to study computer programming, will.i.am has announced that he is currently developing an "American Idol"-style show in search of the world's next genius. Since serving as a coach on "The Voice U.K.," the Black Eyed Peas frontman is eager to bring the popular reality competition format to the tech world.

"Every year, companies like Google need more innovators, but there is no content celebrating them," he said during his keynote address at the IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) 2012 Conference in Amsterdam earlier this month (Sept. 7).

"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," the producer/rapper insisted of his search for the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg.

"It will be great TV and great for society," will said. He is currently in the negotiation stages with broadcasters.

Meanwhile, you can watch the making of will's "Reach for the Stars" broadcast from Mars in the new "i.am.mars: Reach for the Stars" documentary on the Discovery SCIENCE channel, premiering tonight (Sept. 19) at 10PM ET.

Watch "will.i.am Teams Up With Nasa to Broadcast Song From Mars"

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