Jack and Sharon Osbourne have hit back at critics of the proposed AI Ozzy project, insisting it is 'no cash grab' and will be a tasteful tribute to the late Black Sabbath frontman.
Plans for Digital Ozzy
In May, Sharon and son Jack announced plans to create a hyper-realistic AI-powered avatar of the Birmingham-born singer, who passed away in July 2025. Speaking on their family podcast, Sharon revealed: "I've seen the tests that they've done of Ozzy and you can see every pore on his face, his beard's coming through, it's that detailed."
However, some music fans and critics have suggested the project is motivated by money. Responding to the backlash, Sharon said: "But the thing is, it's like saying when there were propellers and then there were jet planes. 'Oh, well, cash grab! Why go on a jet when there's a propeller?' What are you doing? Well, you know what, technology moves on. And I'm sorry for those people. I'm not asking you to come."
She added emphatically: "I don't want your f***ing money. I don't need your f***ing money. I'm doing very well."
Family's Emotional Motivation
Sharon explained the personal significance of the project: "For somebody to turn around to me and say I'm doing a cash grab? No, you don't know my husband, OK? I know my husband. And my husband would say to me over and over, 'After I go, how long do you think I'll be remembered?' [It’s something] that will pass on through our family, and it’s for our grandkids."
Jack also expressed frustration at the criticism, revealing the family had been exploring AI options for a decade. He said: "I have so much I want to unpack with this because what we're doing ... isn't ChatGPT with dad's face on it. This is a closed AI. So it's not connected to the internet. We build a database. And the thing that I cannot emphasize enough is that this is only information that either my dad said or was accurate or was written accurately."
He continued: "This is going to be tasteful and the reaction … It’s innovative. It’s either we do it or someone else is gonna do it. For me, it’s not about pretending he’s still alive. It’s making sure he’s never forgotten."
Partnership and Development
Sharon and Jack announced the project at an Osbourne talk at an Expo recently, confirming that 'Digital Ozzy' is already deep in development through a partnership between Hyperreal and Proto Hologram.
Ozzy's Final Days
Ozzy died on July 22, 2025, just weeks after performing with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist at the Back to the Beginning gig at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5. In his final interview with the BBC, he said he struggled to sing because he was so emotional knowing it was his last show: "I was struggling to get the words out, swallowing my f**king emotion. The only thing it really was terribly frustrating for me was I just sit there instead of running across the stage, that was f**king torture. It was very humbling to sit in that chair for nine songs. But what a great way to go out."
He added: "Since the show on Saturday, we came back and we just slept non stop for about a day and a half. I haven't even given a thought what happens next, but I can retire with a clear conscience."
Ozzy's official cause of death was 'acute myocardial infarction' and 'out of hospital cardiac arrest'. He had been suffering with Parkinson’s disease for a number of years prior to his death.
