Sharon Osbourne rejected criticisms that the AI-developed version of Ozzy Osbourne was created with the aim of making money. Speaking on the latest episode of The Osbournes podcast, Sharon denied claims that the family turned the new technology into a "cash grab."
Sharon and Jack Osbourne described the digital Ozzy avatar as a technological advancement. Jack noted that the project is an offline AI system, criticizing portrayals of it as an uncontrolled and dangerous experiment.
Jack said some people misunderstood the project and generated exaggerated fears. He emphasized that his approach is not to give the impression that Ozzy is still alive, but to keep his legacy alive in a different way.
Sharon spoke along similar lines, saying Ozzy left behind an unforgettable body of work. According to her, the goal is for the artist not to be forgotten and for technology to progress over time.
Sharon also openly rejected the criticism that the project was done for money. "I don’t want your money," she said, explaining that the initiative did not arise from financial need and that the family is not economically dependent on it.
She also argued that Ozzy Osbourne would have supported the idea. In her view, her husband was someone who wondered how much he would be remembered after his death, so he would have welcomed such a concept.
The family announced in May that they had partnered with Hyperreal and Proto Hologram. As part of this, the AI-powered Ozzy figure is planned to be presented in the summer at Proto Luma units in the UK and the US, where it will be able to interact with fans.
Among the initial reactions to the project was a misunderstanding of the technology’s scope. Jack Osbourne previously explained in an online Q&A that the work is not just about linking an image of his father to an AI system, but involves a more complex and advanced technical infrastructure.
Jack also shared that he discussed this idea with his father while he was alive. According to him, Ozzy Osbourne would have found such a project interesting, and the family sees this aspect of the project as consistent with his legacy.
