Ozzy Osbourne remembered by metal fans in US, UK
Fans in the U.K. and the U.S. honor Ozzy Osbourne, who played an crucial part in pioneering heavy metal with Black Sabbath.
Ozzy Osbourne’s death continues to loom even nearly a year later, but fans of the heavy metal icon may get a chance to see him again. This time, as an AI-powered hologram.
Osbourne’s family announced plans to create a lifelike AI version of the Black Sabbath frontman, who died on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, capable of answering fan questions in real time using his own voice and personality.
Sharon Osbourne and son Jack Osbourne unveiled the project during a panel discussion at the 2026 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, where they discussed the future of the Osbourne brand and preserving Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy for future generations.
“You can ask Ozzy anything, and he will answer you in his own voice – and the answers will be what Ozzy would have said,” Sharon Osbourne said during the discussion, per License Global and BBC. “We’re going to take it all around the world. People can talk to him and he will talk back.”
AI hologram aims to keep Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy alive
AI-Ozzy Osbourne is being developed through a partnership with tech companies Hyperreal and Proto Hologram. The project will use what Jack Osbourne described as his father’s “digital DNA,” including his voice, image and movement.
“It’s kind of scary how it’s really very accurate,” Jack Osbourne said during the expo panel. “He will exist digitally as himself for as long as we have computers.”
The hologram is expected to launch later this year in the United States and the United Kingdom through interactive touchscreens placed at undisclosed locations, according to Forbes. The AI avatar will be capable of responding individually to fans, appearing to make eye contact and even adjusting its behavior depending on the audience, The Guardian reported.
“He’s not just a chatbot, he can truly read the room,” Proto Hologram founder David Nussbaum told Forbes. “He might call out a Black Sabbath tattoo on a fan’s arm across the room.”
Hyperreal CEO Remington Scott said the technology was built exclusively using authenticated material provided by the Osbourne family.
“Nothing is scraped from the internet, nothing is approximated and nothing is generated from data that wasn’t specifically and willingly given,” he added.
USA TODAY contacted Hyperreal and Proto Hologram for additional comment about the AI-powered Ozzy Osbourne hologram project and whether there are plans for future uses beyond fan interactions.
Fans react to Ozzy Osbourne hologram plans
The announcement has already sparked debate online, with some fans questioning whether digitally recreating deceased celebrities crosses a line.
Critics and social media users have chimed in on the project, particularly amid discussion about potentially using AI-Ozzy Osbourne in commercials and licensing deals.
“They’re still trying squeeze money out of this man,” one X user wrote. “Let him rest.” Another user wrote: “Wow! A year hasn’t even passed since Ozzy’s passing and they are already trying to commercialized and profit from his memory.”
Jack Osbourne pushed back against the criticism during a recent YouTube livestream, insisting the project would authentically honor his father.
“This isn’t just like hooking up an image of my dad to ChatGPT,” Osbourne said. “It’s really complex what we’re doing.”
He also said Ozzy Osbourne had discussed similar technology before his death.
“I know he would be into this,” Jack Osbourne added.
Ozzy Osbourne’s enduring impact on music and pop culture
Ozzy Osbourne, often called the “godfather of heavy metal,” died just weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a farewell concert in England.
From his musical legacy to reality TV fame as part of MTV’s “The Osbournes,” Osbourne remained one of rock music’s most recognizable and unconventional stars across more than five decades.
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, the singer helped pioneer heavy metal with Black Sabbath before launching a successful solo career that included hits such as “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “Mr. Crowley.”
Sharon Osbourne said she hopes her husband’s legacy can continue for generations, comparing his staying power to Elvis Presley.
“Elvis died 50 years ago, and everybody knows Elvis,” Sharon said during the expo panel. “I just want that for Ozzy.”
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected] or on X @athompsonUSAT
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