I have a tangential thought similar regarding simulation theory, that perhaps there is no other aliens because we're the only one 'simulated', and the purpose of said simulation is because in order to train AI (we're already seeing this) an AI needs a physical body, of course a simulated physical body could probably suffice, it needs to be nurtured by a parent, and experience the world with all it's senses/sensors.

Perhaps we're just ai-babies, and when we're done here we move on to being ai-butlers to rich people in the 'real' world.