A Statistical Estimation of the Occurrence of Extraterrestrial
  Intelligence in the Milky Way Galaxy
  In the field of Astrobiology, the precise location, prevalence and age of
potential extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) have not been explicitly
explored. Here, we address these inquiries using an empirical galactic
simulation model to analyze the spatial-temporal variations and the prevalence
of potential ETI within the Galaxy. This model estimates the occurrence of ETI,
providing guidance on where to look for intelligent life in the Search for ETI
(SETI) with a set of criteria, including well-established astrophysical
properties of the Milky Way. Further, typically overlooked factors such as the
process of abiogenesis, different evolutionary timescales and potential
self-annihilation are incorporated to explore the growth propensity of ETI. We
examine three major parameters: 1) the likelihood rate of abiogenesis
({\lambda}A); 2) evolutionary timescales (Tevo); and 3) probability of
self-annihilation of complex life (Pann). We found Pann to be the most
influential parameter determining the quantity and age of galactic intelligent
life. Our model simulation also identified a peak location for ETI at an
annular region approximately 4 kpc from the Galactic center around 8 billion
years (Gyrs), with complex life decreasing temporally and spatially from the
peak point, asserting a high likelihood of intelligent life in the galactic
inner disk. The simulated age distributions also suggest that most of the
intelligent life in our galaxy are young, thus making observation or detection
difficult.
