Semiconductor giant Intel has announced that it has hired music artist will.i.am (real name William Adams) as Director of Creative Innovation, which is a new post as far as we know.

Will.i.am is one quarter of the popular music group, the Black Eyed Peas, and joins the like of Lady Gaga, who has taken a similar role at Polaroid to produce some groovy products.

The singer said that “Nearly everything I do involves processors and computers, and when I see an Intel chip I think of all the creative minds involved that help to amplify my own creativity,” before adding that “Teaming up with the scientists, researchers and computer programmers at Intel to collaborate and co-develop new ways to communicate, create, inform and entertain is going to be amazing.”

Intel CMO Deborah Conrad (ed : note her title, Chief Marketing Officer) presented Mr i.am to the Intel staff during an internal conference, together with his official Intel ID bade. She added that “We’re thrilled to tap into the limitless creativity will.i.am brings to the table, He’s not only a brilliant artist and producer, but also an innovator pushing the bounds of technology professionally and personally."

We're quite unsure as to what the input of the Will.i.am will be, apart from the fact that he has been signed for a multi year contract and will therefore make tons of money. Intel says that he will help in developing notebooks, tablet PCs and smartphones possibly, by bringing his audio and fashion expertise to the table.

One can expect the band to be tapped to produce the next series of Intel commercials and even to resample the Intel jingle like they did with the classic "Time of My Life".

Will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas have sold nearly 30 million records and have won six Grammy awards. Two of their songs are amongst the most downloaded tracks ever on Apple iTunes. The press conference videos are below.