Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. (REUTERS FILE)

Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am is developing a new American Idol-type talent show for nerds.

The hitmaker, who has signed on to help Britney Spears mentor her X Factor team on TV in the U.S., is hoping to find the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg.

will.i.am, who recently debuted his new song, Reach for the Stars, from Mars via the Curiosity rover, insists there should be a TV show "celebrating" innovators and inventors.

He says, "We need creative people working with broadcasters, making smart content to inspire people to be geniuses. It will be great TV and great for society."

will.i.am is currently in negotiations with TV executives about his plans for the show.