Jack and Sharon Osbourne Back AI Recreation of Ozzy, Saying It Accurately Reflects Him Rather Than Replacing Him
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Jack and Sharon first revealed the new initiative in May.
Sharon Osbourne and her son Jack are standing firmly behind their decision to create an AI-powered digital version of the late Ozzy Osbourne, dismissing criticism surrounding the project.
During an episode of The Osbournes podcast on June 5, Sharon, 73, and Jack, 40, discussed the initiative and explained that they view it as a natural step forward in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Addressing accusations that the project is financially motivated, Sharon rejected the suggestion outright. She explained that critics do not truly understand Ozzy the way his family did and recalled that he often wondered how long people would continue to remember him after he was gone.
For the Osbourne family, the digital recreation is intended to preserve Ozzy’s legacy for future generations. Sharon described it as something that can be passed down through the family and enjoyed by grandchildren and descendants in the years ahead.
Jack elaborated on the technology behind the project, explaining that it operates as a closed AI system. Unlike internet-connected artificial intelligence platforms, the model relies solely on a carefully curated database containing verified statements, interviews, and information directly connected to Ozzy’s life and career.
According to Jack, the goal is not to create the illusion that his father is still alive. Instead, the project is designed to ensure that Ozzy’s personality, stories, and influence remain accessible long into the future. He characterized the initiative as both respectful and forward-thinking, noting that emerging technology will inevitably be used in this way by someone, and he believes the family is best positioned to oversee it responsibly.
The Osbournes first introduced the digital avatar project during the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas in May. At the event, they explained that advances in technology could allow Ozzy’s likeness and persona to continue existing digitally for generations.
Jack also remarked on how rapidly AI tools have evolved, explaining that creating realistic digital content has become far more accessible than in the past. He suggested that users could eventually generate customized appearances by Digital Ozzy for a variety of approved projects with relative ease.
The avatar is being developed by Hyperreal, a company that specializes in creating digital replicas through its proprietary “digital DNA” technology. Company executives have emphasized that the virtual version of Ozzy is being built exclusively from authenticated materials approved by those closest to him, ensuring accuracy and family oversight throughout the process.
Jack previously defended the concept during a YouTube livestream in May, stressing that the project involves far more than simply connecting Ozzy’s image to a generic AI chatbot. He described the undertaking as highly sophisticated and revealed that he had discussed the idea with his father before his passing, adding that Ozzy supported the concept.