Sharon Osbourne, 73, was spotted shopping in Beverly Hills days after announcing that her late husband Ozzy Osbourne will be recreated as a lifelike AI avatar using Hyperreal's Digital DNA technology.. The project, revealed at the Licensing Expo 2026, will allow fans to interact with a holographic version of the Black Sabbath frontman starting this summer in the UK and US. The announcement has drawn both excitement and criticism, with the Osbourne family defending the decision as 'tasteful' and a continuation of Ozzy's legacy .

Digital DNA: How Hyperreal Plans to Recreate Ozzy Osbourne's Likeness and Personality

According to the source, Hyperreal CEO Remington Scott explained that the avatar uses patented 'Digital DNA' technology, which captures likeness, voice, motion, and performance character from authenticated source material curated by those closest to Ozzy. Sharon Osbourne described the tests as remarkably detailed: 'I've seen the tests that they've done of Ozzy and you can see every pore on his face, his beard's coming through, it's that detailed.' The digital version will be able to perform concerts, appear in films or adverts, and interact with fans in real time, offering what the company describes as an uncanny approximation of the original.

Fan Backlash and Jack Osbourne's Defense: 'It's Gonna Be So Tasteful'

The decision to reanimate Ozzy digitally has sparked mixed reactions, with some fans branding it 'objectionable,' as the report notes. In response, the Osbournes' son Jack Osbourne defended the project during a YouTube livestream, insisting it will be 'tasteful' and that his father had discussed the idea before his death. 'Here's the thing, it's gonna be so tasteful what we're doing. it's not gonna be f*****g lame. This is some high-level technology,' Jack said. He added that his father 'will exist digitally as himself for as long as we have computers.'

From Birmingham to the Metaverse: The Summer 2026 Rollout Plan

The AI recreation will debut this summer, with the first stop set for Ozzy's hometown of Birmingham, followed by locations across the UK and US. Sharon expressed her hope that the legacy would endure like Elvis Presley's, noting the 'endless possibilities.' According to the source, fans will be able to talk to the avatar, take photos, and receive authentic responses in Ozzy's own voice. Hyperreal has assured that guardrails are in place, with Scott stating that 'Ozzy will still be Ozzy,' including his famously colorful vocabulary.

What Remains Unknown: Cost, Guardrails, and the Ethics of Digital Resurrection

Several questions remain unanswered by the announcement. The source does not specify how much fans will pay to interact with the avatar, nor does it detail the exact nature of the guardrails intended to prevent misuse. The report also relies solely on the family's perspective ; no independent ethicists or critics beyond vague 'some fans' are quoted. How the family and Hyperreal will handle complaints or requests for removal remains unclear, leaving a gap in public understanding of the project's long-term implications for digital legacy.