"Electronics is much simpler than life's chemistry and does not need liquid water."

That may be true now, but if we ever truly acheive AI, then I would assume that computers will be just as complex in nature as actual living beings. I don't think we'll ever truly create a 'Real' intelligence with machines, but I think we'll come up with a good simulation of it that will amaze a lot of people even if it isn't the real deal.