Ozzy Osbourne may be gone, but his family is making sure the Prince of Darkness isn’t disappearing anytime soon. Less than a year after the rock legend’s death, Jack Osbourne is defending plans to create an AI-powered version of his father following criticism from fans who believe the idea goes too far.
The project has already sparked debate online. Some fans see it as a creative way to preserve Ozzy’s legacy, while others question whether a digital recreation of the late musician is something the world really needs.
Jack Osbourne doesn’t seem to be letting Ozzy rest in peace without a price
Jack first unveiled the project alongside Sharon Osbourne at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. The announcement centered around an AI avatar capable of interacting with fans using Ozzy’s likeness, voice, and personality.
After facing criticism online, Jack addressed the controversy during a recent YouTube livestream. According to the television personality, the public shouldn’t expect a low-budget chatbot wearing Ozzy’s face.
“Here’s the thing, it’s gonna be so tasteful what we’re doing. It’s not gonna be f—ing lame,” Jack said. He stressed that the technology involved is far more sophisticated than simply connecting archived footage to artificial intelligence software.
“It’s gonna feel very real,” he added, describing the project as both ambitious and surprisingly advanced.
Perhaps most importantly for fans questioning the ethics of the idea, Jack claimed the concept wasn’t developed after Ozzy’s death. According to him, the two had discussed creating a digital version of the rocker while Ozzy was still alive. “We actually talked about it before he passed,” Jack explained. “I know he would be into this.”
The AI avatar is being developed by Hyperreal, a company specializing in digital-human technology. Sharon revealed that the virtual Ozzy will be designed to answer questions using his own voice and personality traits. “You can ask Ozzy anything, and he will answer you in his own voice,” she said at the expo.
Hyperreal CEO Remington Scott later told Billboard that the avatar was created using authenticated material approved by Ozzy’s family. Whether fans embrace the idea remains to be seen. But if Jack’s comments are any indication, the Osbournes have no intention of backing away from the project.
TELL US – WOULD YOU INTERACT WITH AN AI VERSION OF OZZY OSBOURNE, OR DOES THE TECHNOLOGY GO TOO FAR?
