Artificial intelligence has found its way into the most unlikely places: tributes for celebrities who are no longer with us. Fans’ reactions are mixed, with some calling it “terrible and corny.”
Rod Stewart’s AI tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
During singer Rod Stewart’s August 1 performance at Ameris Bank Amphitheater in Alpharetta, Georgia, he dedicated his song “Forever Young” to his late friend, Ozzy Osbourne, who died on July 22. Parade reported the slideshow began with actual photos of the Black Sabbath rocker and then transitioned into AI-generated scenes that depicted Osbourne taking selfies in a celestial setting with other iconic musicians who have passed away.
The AI video portrayed Osbourne smiling and posing in a cloud-filled backdrop alongside late music legends including Prince, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur, Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, George Michael, and Amy Winehouse. Also appearing in the AI tribute alongside Osbourne were controversial artists, Michael Jackson and XXXtentacion.
Some viewers found the tribute distasteful, while others defended Stewart’s use of AI-generated imagery, saying that tributes are personal expressions.
AI avatars push emotional boundaries
Stewart’s controversial tribute to Osbourne is just one example of how public sentiment and taste are being tested as AI-generated work is finding its way into more aspects of everyday life.
Recently, former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta “interviewed” an AI avatar of Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the 2018 Parkland high school shooting. Acosta worked with the gun control group Change the Ref to set up the interview in order to promote gun control.
“I would like to know what your solution would be for gun violence,” Acosta asked Oliver’s avatar.
“Great question,” the AI-generated avatar answered. “I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support, and community engagement.”
As with Stewart’s AI-generated tribute to Osborne, reactions to Acosta’s interview were mixed.
“This was a hard watch and I admit to being skeptical about using AI in this way,” one commentator posted on Acosta’s Substack. “But this was clearly an expression of love from Manny [Oliver] towards his beautiful son.”
“I found the AI interview troubling,” wrote another person. “I think it might have been you asking questions and acting like you were having a conversation.”
From memorials to marketing: The rise of AI personas
Osbourne’s AI image was created from publicly available photos, and Oliver’s father created his son’s AI avatar. AI personas in courtrooms have had mixed results; the first AI victim statement stirred debate, and a judge chastised a plaintiff for using an AI avatar.
Media companies are starting to use “fake people” in their advertising, as in Vogue magazine’s recent Guess ad featuring a model created entirely by AI.
As generative AI becomes more accessible, its use in emotionally charged spaces will continue to spark debate. For some, these digital recreations offer new ways to honor, advocate, or create; for others, they raise concerns about ethics, taste, consent, and the growing blur between authenticity and simulation.