In an era where the world is driven by vast amounts of data and the intelligence of technology, everyone must prepare for constant change. The goal of becoming a fully-fledged "Digital University" is therefore an important objective for Chiang Mai University. The university aims to leverage modern technology and innovation to solve problems and advance its operations through the CMU Smart City project. This initiative focuses on using data for city management by researching and creating knowledge alongside integrating technology to develop valuable innovations and make them practically applicable. This effort helps in developing people, promoting lifelong learning, and creating sustainable benefits for society and Thailand.

        Chiang Mai University places significant importance on environmental development because the university community includes not only students, faculty, and staff but also has characteristics akin to a city that requires comprehensive resource management. Sustainable Campus Management Center at Chiang Mai University is part of the CMU Smart Surveillance project. This project employs the concept of using data for city management to design and develop various services aimed at improving road safety for those moving within the university. This includes monitoring, alerting, and tracking events such as accidents, thefts, or crimes, and collecting related data such as traffic volume in digital formats. This data can be used for outcome assessment, strategic planning, and policy-making.

           For instance, the Smart Gate system uses license plate recognition technology to track and record vehicles entering the campus in real-time. It coordinates with the Car Tracking system to monitor vehicle movements at entry points and integrates with the Smart Campus Management Center’s database. This system allows for the identification and tracking of vehicles involved in incidents, aiding in the apprehension of suspects.

         Additionally, the development of city models aligned with smart city concepts also promotes energy conservation and environmental management. This includes managing renewable energy within the university. Energy Research and Development Institute-Nakornping, Chiang Mai University (ERDI-CMU) has been involved in developing various innovations such as The solar roof is a 12-megawatt solar roof system. This system is connected to the Smart Campus Management Center through the university's existing IT infrastructure. Integrated Biomass Management Center focuses on sustainable waste management to produce renewable energy. For example, the university produces over 600 cubic meters of biogas daily, which is refined into electricity (26,000 kilowatt-hours annually) and compressed biogas for vehicles (18,000 kilograms annually). This helps reduce landfill waste by 4,500 tons per year, decrease food waste by 500 tons annually, and reduce fat waste by 125 tons annually, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 10,900 tons of carbon per year.

         Furthermore, moving towards being a "Digital University" also includes the development of a "Healthcare System." The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University has established the Multidisciplinary Telemedicine Center, connecting with 20 hospitals in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand using 5G technology. This center provides not only medical consultations but also advice on pharmacology, laboratory work, and X-rays through a continuously developed digital system, such as the Personal Health Record (PHR) and health monitoring systems. Projects like the Health Information Exchange aim to facilitate efficient patient care when transferring between hospitals. The development of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system is also underway.

        5G technology enhances medical services by enabling real-time consultations and treatments through Smart Ambulances. This allows for the transmission of images and sounds from the ambulance and the scene to the coordination center at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, connecting directly with specialist doctors. This ensures that experts can observe and monitor patient conditions throughout the operation, making it essential to continuously develop telemedicine systems to improve quality of life in remote areas and create a network for remote consultations among doctors, thus increasing survival chances.