We explore how AI can help safeguard music’s rich musical heritage while propelling the music industry into an innovative, human-centred future. We discuss how AI can be a potent tool for cultural preservation and archival work. Optical music recognition can bring thousands of forgotten musical works to light. AI can automate the creation of variant trees, allowing musicologists to focus on their interpretation. AI can empower musicians through sound processing tools, allowing instrument separation for score study or on-demand ‘minus-one’ recordings for at-home practice. AI will enable fully immersive symphonic concert experiences and cost-effective tools that democratise surround recording. Orchestras will have a global outreach, and venues will offer themselves as acoustic holograms: metaverse-ready 360° fully navigable, audio-visual, virtual halls. Finally, we will discuss the importance of AI training for our heritage and its development in alignment with our shared cultural values to ensure a harmonious future.