The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence elected Ford a fellow in 2000 for his "leadership in exploring and explaining foundational issues and in establishing large-scale AI research programs and institutions.

[8] He also served as a member of the United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board from 2005 to 2009.

[12][13] Since 2016, he has been the co-host of IHMC's podcast, STEM-Talk, an educational service of the institute that is described as "conversations with some of the most interesting people in the world of science and technology.

[17] In August 2010, Dr. Ford was awarded NASA's Distinguished Public Service Medal – the highest civilian honor the agency confers.

[18] In 2012, Tulane University named Ford its Outstanding Alumnus in the School of Science and Engineering.

[15] In 2015, the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence named Ford the recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Service Award.