Between trade wars, research in silos, fragmented political systems and rising tensions between the haves and the have-nots, the global economy faces some very real risks today. H.E. Jose Angel Gurria addressed inequalities of different kinds during a conversation with CNN’s Becky Anderson. “It’s exciting, it’s challenging, it’s full of promise. And at the same time, it has its downsides,” he said, offering a big-picture view of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). 4IR is an umbrella term for a series of technologies that are fusing the physical, biological and digital spheres, providing new challenges and opportunities for nation states and individuals alike. Some of these new technologies, such as 5G, are already a reality in many countries around the world, Gurria said, although not every country in the world is at the same level. Technology has tremendous benefits, but it also risks widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots, he warned.