This “initiative” is nothing new, albeit has been refined in the Max.
This is an excerpt from the 737 NG flight manual:
As airspeed decreases towards stall speed, the speed trim system trims the stabilizer nose down and enables trim above stickshaker AOA. With this trim schedule the pilot must pull more aft column to stall the airplane.
It’s fair to say the 737 NG is pretty prolific and there have not been a string of accidents attributed to this system so let’s hold off on suggesting the system is innately dangerous and should not be flying.