'life' is almost inevitable, given proper conditions. Carbon plus natural phenomena practically guarantee something will happen....however, intelligent higher life is a much less likely outcome. Evidence shows that we almost didn't make it to this level, due to various natural calamities. What we are now is only a few million or a few thousand (depending on your definition) years old.

If there were a way to place a bet, I'd stake a BIG one on there being other life, and a reasonably large one on there being intelligent life out there. Due to known laws of physics, I'd also risk a good pile on us never meeting them. ('US' meaning confirmed and public, rather than sincere but unproven accounts of individuals)