Jack Osbourne Defends ‘Digital Ozzy’ AI Avatar Plan
Jack Osbourne has pushed back on criticism surrounding the newly announced “Digital Ozzy” project, saying the late Ozzy Osbourne would have supported the idea and that the family is aiming for a respectful, high-end fan experience. The comments came during a May 22 livestream on Jack’s YouTube channel, where he addressed backlash to plans for an A.I.-driven avatar of the Black Sabbath icon.
Jack said the project is being developed through a partnership between Hyperreal and Proto Hologram, with the goal of letting the avatar move, speak and respond as Ozzy would, BLABBERMOUTH.NET reported.
In the livestream, Jack stressed that the concept goes beyond a simple image-and-chatbot setup, describing it as “high-level technology” designed to feel realistic and interactive. He also said he and his father had talked about doing something similar before Ozzy died, adding that he believed Ozzy “would be into this.”
Digital Ozzy is set to appear in Proto Luma units, described as life-size holoportation devices, in the U.K. and U.S. beginning late summer. Sharon Osbourne has also discussed the scope of the plan, including that fans will be able to ask Ozzy questions and hear answers in his own voice, echoing her description of how the digital version could interact with audiences as it rolls out internationally.
Hyperreal CEO Mr. Remington Scott said the avatar was built from authenticated and approved source material controlled by Ozzy’s family, while Proto Hologram founder Mr. David Nussbaum thanked Sharon and Jack for trusting the companies with the project. The article also noted Ozzy had previously spoken publicly about A.I. in music, saying he was “open for anything” if the quality was high and acknowledging that the technology could be misused.
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy has been extending into new formats in recent years, from exhibitions and planned screen projects to merchandise and fan experiences. For the Osbourne family, the digital avatar concept appears positioned as another way to keep Ozzy’s presence accessible to fans, while framing it as a controlled and consent-based use of his likeness.
