Family Searches for Missing Auburn Student in Japan After Disagreement Over AI

James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old engineering student from Auburn University, went missing in Japan on May 29. His disappearance came after an argument with his mother about her use of ChatGPT during their vacation. Nancy Higginbotham expressed concern, noting that her son’s interest in sustainability led him to oppose AI due to its environmental impact.

Weston opted to remain behind while his family visited a Kyoto temple after lunch on the day of his disappearance. His parents, using a family tracking app, noticed his location change that evening. However, their attempts to contact him received no response. He was last seen departing the Yamashina train station, and it is suspected he may have headed to a nearby hiking trail.

Nancy Higginbotham conveyed her worries about her son’s safety, fearing that his love for hiking might have led him into dangerous terrain. “My fear is that he got hurt and is stuck,” she indicated, concerned about his lack of food amidst the dense forest.

Nancy Higginbotham shared her fears: “My fear is that he doesn’t have enough food because there is plenty of water, and that he’s lost.”

Efforts to locate Weston included a thorough three-day search by Japanese police, involving over 100 officers, K9 units, and helicopters. Unfortunately, these efforts did not yield any leads. As the official search concluded, Weston’s family is determined to continue looking, planning to hire a professional search and rescue team. This private effort is projected to cost over $100,000. His father, Keith Higginbotham, remains optimistic, stating, “We have complete confidence that we are going to find him.”