AI hologram – Ozzy Osbourne’s family says it’s developing a lifelike, AI-powered hologram that can respond to fans in real time using his voice, image, and movement. The project, unveiled at the 2026 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, is set to launch later this year in the U.S.
When Ozzy Osbourne fans log on expecting a new show, the family’s pitch is stranger than a reunion tour: an AI-powered hologram that can answer questions in Ozzy’s own voice.
Nearly a year after Ozzy Osbourne’s death on July 22. 2025. at age 76. Sharon Osbourne and her son Jack Osbourne unveiled plans for a lifelike AI version of the Black Sabbath frontman. They presented the project during a panel discussion at the 2026 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. describing it as a way to keep the Osbourne brand alive while giving fans a new form of interaction.
“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. She added, “We’re going to take it all around the world. People can talk to him and he will talk back.”
The system is being built through a partnership with tech companies Hyperreal and Proto Hologram. Jack Osbourne said the project uses what he described as his father’s “digital DNA,” including his voice, image, and movement.
“Here’s the part that is 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 family’s rollout is expected later this year in the United States and the United Kingdom, using interactive touchscreens placed at undisclosed locations. The AI avatar is described as able to respond individually, appear to make eye contact, and adjust its behavior depending on the audience.
Proto Hologram founder David Nussbaum said the hologram is designed to read how fans are engaging, telling Forbes, “He’s not just a chatbot, he can truly read the room.” He added, “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,” Scott said.
No matter how carefully the family frames it, the announcement landed with a jolt. Online debate erupted quickly, with some fans questioning whether recreating deceased celebrities through AI crosses a line.
“They’re still trying squeeze money out of this man,” one X user wrote. 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 directly at least once. insisting the project is meant to honor his father rather than exploit him. During a YouTube livestream. Osbourne said. “This isn’t just like hooking up an image of my dad to ChatGPT. ” adding. “It’s really complex what we’re doing.” He also said Ozzy Osbourne had discussed similar technology before his death. saying. “I know he would be into this.”.
The tension sits in the details the Osbourne family and critics are both circling: a loved public figure, a fast transition from mourning to digital presence, and a new kind of “conversation” powered by technology.
That backdrop also shapes how many fans remember Ozzy Osbourne’s impact. He is often called the “godfather of heavy metal.” He died just weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a farewell concert in England. Ozzy’s career spanned more than five decades. from helping pioneer heavy metal with Black Sabbath to building a successful solo path that included hits such as “Crazy Train. ” “Mama. I’m Coming Home” and “Mr. Crowley.”.
Beyond music, Osbourne became a familiar reality-TV presence as part of MTV’s “The Osbournes.” Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, he remained a highly recognizable, unconventional rock figure.
Sharon Osbourne said she hopes Ozzy’s legacy will endure for generations, comparing his staying power to Elvis Presley. During the expo panel, she said, “Elvis died 50 years ago, and everybody knows Elvis,” and then added, “I just want that for Ozzy.”
Hyperreal and Proto Hologram did not provide additional public details beyond the project framework laid out during the licensing event. Hyperreal and Proto Hologram were contacted for further comment about the AI-powered Ozzy Osbourne hologram project and whether there are plans for future uses beyond fan interactions.
For the fans watching from the edge of the debate, the question now is not only whether the hologram can replicate Ozzy. It’s what it means to “talk back” to someone who is gone—and how soon a family and a brand decide that a digital version is ready to take the stage.
Ozzy Osbourne AI hologram Hyperreal Proto Hologram Licensing Expo 2026 Sharon Osbourne Jack Osbourne Black Sabbath digital DNA AI avatar interactive touchscreen U.S. launch U.K. launch music licensing celebrity AI
This is creepy as hell.
So it’s like a hologram chatbot? I don’t get how it’s gonna be “real time” though, sounds like marketing. Also didn’t Ozzy already have like recorded stuff? Why call it AI.
I mean he died like a year ago right, so this is kinda disrespectful to me. If people wanna “talk to him” just watch the old shows, don’t need touchscreens hiding somewhere. And “digital DNA”?? that sounds like they’re making him into a product forever, not even sure who owns that.
I saw this on TikTok already, they said it can answer anything which is kinda wild, but like… what if fans ask a dumb question and it just makes up Ozzy lines? They’re saying it’s accurate but computers can hallucinate. Also why is this happening at a licensing expo, seems like money grab stuff more than honoring him. I’m sure it’ll be cool for like 5 minutes then everyone’s complaining about it.