Jack Osbourne is addressing criticism over the decision to use artificial intelligence to help carry on his father Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy. He spoke out in a new interview with E! News.
The comments come after the Osbourne family faced backlash earlier this year. They had announced a partnership with tech companies Hyperreal and Proto Hologram to create a lifesized, A.I.-powered Ozzy avatar.
“Admittedly, I think I spoke kind of out of turn in the sense of really kind of explaining why we’re doing it,” Jack Osbourne said. “Everything is gonna have an A.I. fingerprint on it at some point.”
He went on to explain the reasoning behind the project.
“Ultimately, it’s about preserving the digital fingerprint of my father,” Osbourne continued. “That’s the core essence of it. Yes, it can be utilized for other things, but ultimately it’s about getting ahead of what is the inevitability.”
The backlash and the family’s response reveal a broader picture of how the Osbournes have handled the project since it was first unveiled.
The A.I. avatar was announced in May 2026 during the Licensing Expo. It immediately sparked debate among fans over whether the project honors Ozzy’s memory or exploits it for profit. Sharon Osbourne has taken the lead in defending the initiative. She insists it is not a “money grab” and reveals that the family had discussed the idea for years before moving forward. She has said Ozzy himself “loved the idea” of the digital avatar long before his death.
Sharon has been direct with critics of the project, telling them bluntly, “If you don’t like it, don’t go see it.”
Jack Osbourne has also worked to clarify exactly what the technology will and won’t do. He has stressed that the avatar is not “ChatGPT with dad’s face on it,” but rather a closed A.I. system that is not connected to the internet. The family has built a controlled dataset around Ozzy’s voice, mannerisms, and personality to power the avatar rather than relying on an open, internet-trained model.
The project comes roughly a year after Ozzy Osbourne’s death in July 2025. That milestone has kept renewed attention on his legacy and the various ways the family is choosing to preserve it, including the avatar, an upcoming biopic, and continued Ozzfest events.
Osbourne’s remarks come as the family continues to navigate public reaction to the A.I. avatar initiative. Further details on the project have not yet been announced.
