Simon Cowell may already be thinking about who should take over “America’s Got Talent” when he steps away. And, his dream successor is none other than his 11-year-old son, Eric.

Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of AGT’s milestone 20th season, Cowell opened up about his hopes for the show’s future and his legacy as a judge, producer, and dad.

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Simon Cowell, Eric Philip Cowell, and Lauren Silverman attends the Red Carpet for “America’s Got Talent” Season 18 Finale
“I’m now looking at the next 20 years of this show — where does it go next?” Cowell said. “Whether it’s me or whether it’s Eric, my son, you’re going to be having a conversation with us in 20 years time saying, ‘Well, how was the 40th anniversary?’”

While Cowell isn’t sure if Eric wants to follow in his footsteps, he admitted: “Fortunately like me, he loves these kinds of shows, which is a good start… I think he’d actually be a really good producer.”

The AGT creator emphasized that he’d “definitely encourage” Eric if he ever wanted to work behind the scenes. “That would be my dream.”

How Fatherhood Changed Cowell’s View on Talent & Life

Becoming a dad has made Cowell more mindful of the acts that come across the AGT stage. He said watching through Eric’s eyes shifted his entire perspective.

“You want your kids and their friends to love the show,” he explained. “So when he comes down with his friends, they’re having the best time. And that’s a great feeling.”

Cowell also shared how much being a parent has transformed him: “If I wasn’t where I am in my life today, I think it would feel quite empty… I’ve definitely, definitely changed since I became a dad.”

Cowell Says He’s Not Slowing Down “Anytime Soon”

Despite the long filming days, Cowell says he’s not slowing down anytime soon. “I’ve kind of mapped out my next few years doing this, and I think I’d miss it. I really would, I’m not going to lie.”

Cowell Says Son Eric “Saved” Him After Losing Both Parents

Recently, Cowell reflected on how fatherhood changed his life during one of his darkest times.

In a recent interview with People about the emotional impact of becoming a dad to son Eric, born in 2013, with partner Lauren Silverman. Years before Eric’s birth, Cowell had lost both his parents — his father, Eric, in 1999, and his mother, Julie, in 2005.

“I loved my parents so much, and once they left, I was kind of lost for a while,” Cowell shared. “Eric saved me because that love comes back 100 times more powerful. It’s extraordinary, and it never goes.”