The Prize is awarded annually, by the APA Committee on Philosophy and Computers. It serves to credit philosophers for their lifelong efforts in this field. It also serves to acknowledge and to encourage work in all areas relevant to the computational and informational turn in philosophy.
Examples of areas that are of interest to the committee in selecting candidates for this prize include: the use of computers in the teaching of philosophy; the philosophical aspects of artificial intelligence; and the area of computer ethics.
The committee selected the name of Jon Barwise for this prize because his life's work exemplified a concern with research and teaching, while his efforts were often embodied in the production of courseware and changes of curriculum.