I see this as more of a linguistic dispute, instead of a scientific one. First, what is meant by “intelligent” or “intelligence”, and second, less obviously, how do we define consciousness and is the universe itself a conscious intelligence?
There are over 6,000 genetic diseases known so far to medicine. These result in shortened lifespans, immense pain and suffering, and countless ruined lives both for the patients and their caregivers. How can this be explained by any kind of compassionate intelligent design?
The difference between a process guided by an intelligent agent and one that is not seems more than semantic to me.
“First, what is meant by “intelligent” or “intelligence”.
What is meant by that is doing something with a purpose in mind, such as for example conceptualizing, designing and building a car for the purpose of more efficiently getting from here to there.
It is an intentional act instead of just random or accidental, very much analogous to the way humans design things.
“is the universe itself a conscious intelligence?”
Could be. We don’t know what that entity might be, and we may never know. Just as an amoeba is not aware of our existence and capabilities, we are just as unaware as to what that “bigger” thing is like.
“is the universe itself a conscious intelligence?”
Well, your last question at least is immaterial as to the question of origins. Even if the universe is conscious, it still couldn’t create itself, so the point is moot.