Google parent Alphabet said artificial intelligence-infused navigation software has significantly sped up plans to deploy Project Loon internet balloons to serve remote regions of the world Word that being able to more smartly guide high-altitude baloons promised to improve coverage while curbing cost came as Loon hit headwinds in some locales where it has been testing the technology. “Our timelines are starting to move up on how we can do more for the world sooner,” said Astro Teller, who heads the team at the Alphabet unit X, in charge of “moonshot” projects of the technology giant.